Thermoresponsive copolymer microgels synthesized via single-step precipitation polymerization: random or block structure?

DOI

<p>The inner structure of polymeric microgels critically influences their responsiveness and potential applications, yet remaining challenging to resolve at molecular resolution. In this work, a structural characterization of thermoresponsive copolymer microgels is provided by integrating small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements with multi-scale simulations. Specifically, Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-<em>co</em>-N-isopropylmethacrylamide), P(NIPAM-<em>co</em>-NIPMAM), copolymer microgels, in which a random monomer distribution is conventionally assumed, are considered. By synthesizing different samples, including isotopically labeled microgels via selective deuteration, the microgels swelling behavior is probed and distinct polymer-specific signatures are revealed. To elucidate their internal distribution, monomer-resolved microgel simulations are performed across different copolymer models. A direct comparison between experimental and numerical form factors provides evidence of preferential organization into block structures, challenging the prevailing view of random distribution. <sup>13</sup>C-NMR experiments confirm NIPAM-rich blocks and atomistic simulations link this unexpected block-like architecture to distinct local hydrogen-bonding patterns. This integrated approach provides the first direct evidence of preferential block formation in P(NIPAM-<em>co</em>-NIPMAM) microgels. Beyond this system, these results establish a generalizable strategy for unveiling hidden structural order in copolymer microgels, offering new strategies to tailor their design and to enhance control of material responsivity.</p>

Identifier
DOI https://doi.org/10.24435/materialscloud:p6-3k
Related Identifier https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202509795
Related Identifier https://archive.materialscloud.org/communities/mcarchive
Related Identifier https://doi.org/10.24435/materialscloud:b0-7j
Metadata Access https://archive.materialscloud.org/oai2d?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=oai_dc&identifier=oai:materialscloud.org:843wc-92w43
Provenance
Creator Tavagnacco, Letizia; Buratti, Elena; Vialetto, Jacopo; Brasili, Francesco; Ballin, Elisa; Schwärzer, Kuno; Mata, Jitendra; Di Carmine, Graziano; Bertoldo, Monica; Chiessi, Ester; Laurati, Marco; Zaccarelli, Emanuela
Publisher Materials Cloud
Contributor Zaccarelli, Emanuela
Publication Year 2025
Rights info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess; Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
OpenAccess true
Contact archive(at)materialscloud.org
Representation
Language English
Resource Type info:eu-repo/semantics/other
Format application/octet-stream; application/zip
Discipline Materials Science and Engineering