Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Polymer Chemistry
Form Factor Of Pnipam Microgels In Overpacked States, U. Gasser, J. S. Hyatt, J.- J. Lietor-Santos, E. S. Herman, L. Andrew Lyon, A. Fernandez-Nieves
Form Factor Of Pnipam Microgels In Overpacked States, U. Gasser, J. S. Hyatt, J.- J. Lietor-Santos, E. S. Herman, L. Andrew Lyon, A. Fernandez-Nieves
Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research
We study the form factor of thermoresponsive microgels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) at high generalized volume fractions, ζ, where the particles must shrink or interpenetrate to fit into the available space. Small-angle neutron scattering with contrast matching techniques is used to determine the particle form factor. We find that the particle size is constant up to a volume fraction roughly between random close packing and space filling. Beyond this point, the particle size decreases with increasing particle concentration; this decrease is found to occur with little interpenetration. Noteworthily, the suspensions remain liquid-like for ζ larger than 1, emphasizing the importance of …