Volume Phase Transition of Thermoresponsive Microgels Scrutinized by Dynamic Light Scattering and Turbidity: Correlations Depend on Microgel Homogeneity.

Thermoresponsive microgels experience a volume phase transition triggered by temperature changes, a phenomenon often analyzed using dynamic light scattering to observe overall size alterations via the diffusion coefficient. However, local structural changes are typically assessed using more intricate and expensive techniques like small-angle neutron or X-ray scattering. In our research, we investigate the volume phase transition of poly--isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM)-based microgels by employing a combination of temperature-dependent dynamic light scattering and simpler, faster, and more efficient attenuation measurements.

Pyrolysis and Solvothermal Synthesis for Carbon Dots: Role of Purification and Molecular Fluorophores.

Over the last decade, the interest in carbon dots, graphene dots, or similar carbon-based nanoparticles has increased considerably. This interest is based on potentially high fluorescent quantum yields, controllable excitation-dependent emission, low toxicity, and convenient reaction conditions. Carbon dots are often seen as a promising alternative to classical semiconductor quantum dots that are typically made from toxic semiconductor materials.

The fuzzy sphere morphology is responsible for the increase in light scattering during the shrinkage of thermoresponsive microgels.

Thermoresponsive microgels undergo a volume phase transition from a swollen state under good solvent conditions to a collapsed state under poor solvent conditions. The most prominent examples of such responsive systems are based on poly-(-isopropylacrylamide). When cross-linked with ,'-methylenebisacrylamide, such microgels typically possess a fuzzy-spherelike morphology with a higher cross-linked core and a loosely cross-linked fuzzy shell.

Translational and rotational diffusion coefficients of gold nanorods functionalized with a high molecular weight, thermoresponsive ligand: a depolarized dynamic light scattering study.

Probing the rotational and translational diffusion and colloidal stability of nanorods is of significant fundamental interest with implications for many different applications. Recently R. Nixon-Luke and G.

Thermosensitive Display of Carbohydrate Ligands on Microgels for Switchable Binding of Proteins and Bacteria.

The synthesis of carbohydrate-functionalized thermosensitive poly(-isopropylacrylamide) microgels and their ability to bind carbohydrate-binding pathogens upon temperature switch are reported. It is found that the microgels' binding affinity is increased above their lower critical solution temperature (LCST), enabling thermo-triggerable capture of pathogens. Here, a series of microgels with comparatively low mannose functionalization degrees below 1 mol % is achieved by a single polymerization step.