Abstract
Nanogels can form colloidal crystals and exhibit structural color in aqueous solution. However, the strong scattering effect and limited arrangement of the nanogel leads to low color saturation. In this study, a series of monomers N-cyclohexyl maleamic acid (NCMA; refractive index (RI)= 1.523), N-phenyl maleanilic acid (NPMA; RI=1.634) and N-(1-naphthyl) maleamic acid (NNMA; RI=1.706) are copolymerized with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) to synthesize N-isopropylacrylamide-based (NIPAm-based) monodispersed nanogels. The conjugated molecules NPMA and NNMA in nanogels can greatly improve the color saturation levels of colloidal crystals relative to poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) and poly(NIPAm–NCMA) because of the noncovalent interactions and high refractive indices. The color saturation increases with increasing conjugated length and refractive index, and the bandgap can be adjusted by regulating the particle diameter or concentration. By introducing N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide and the crosslinker polyurethane acrylate (PUA) to construct the second polymer network, the embedded colloidal crystals possess reversible thermal responsiveness, and the wavelength of the reflection peak redshifts as drug release increases. These materials show great potential as indicators for drug monitoring and biosensing applications.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
