Physical Chemistry I , Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , 40204 Duesseldorf , Germany.
DWI-Leibnitz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V. , 52056 Aachen , Germany.
Langmuir. 2019 May 14;35(19):6231-6255. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b04304. Epub 2019 Apr 30.
Nanogels and microgels are soft, deformable, and penetrable objects with an internal gel-like structure that is swollen by the dispersing solvent. Their softness and the potential to respond to external stimuli like temperature, pressure, pH, ionic strength, and different analytes make them interesting as soft model systems in fundamental research as well as for a broad range of applications, in particular in the field of biological applications. Recent tremendous developments in their synthesis open access to systems with complex architectures and compositions allowing for tailoring microgels with specific properties. At the same time state-of-the-art theoretical and simulation approaches offer deeper understanding of the behavior and structure of nano- and microgels under external influences and confinement at interfaces or at high volume fractions. Developments in the experimental analysis of nano- and microgels have become particularly important for structural investigations covering a broad range of length scales relevant to the internal structure, the overall size and shape, and interparticle interactions in concentrated samples. Here we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art, recent developments as well as emerging trends in the field of nano- and microgels. The following aspects build the focus of our discussion: tailoring (multi)functionality through synthesis; the role in biological and biomedical applications; the structure and properties as a model system, e.g., for densely packed arrangements in bulk and at interfaces; as well as the theory and computer simulation.
纳米凝胶和微凝胶是柔软、可变形和可渗透的物体，具有由分散溶剂溶胀的内部凝胶状结构。它们的柔软性以及对外界刺激（如温度、压力、pH 值、离子强度和不同分析物）的响应能力，使它们成为基础研究以及广泛应用领域（特别是生物应用领域）中有趣的软模型系统。它们在合成方面的最新巨大发展为具有复杂结构和组成的系统提供了访问途径，从而可以定制具有特定性能的微凝胶。与此同时，最先进的理论和模拟方法提供了对纳米和微凝胶在外部影响和界面或高体积分数下的限制下的行为和结构的更深入理解。纳米和微凝胶的实验分析的发展对于结构研究变得尤为重要，这些研究涵盖了与内部结构、整体尺寸和形状以及浓缩样品中的粒子间相互作用相关的广泛长度尺度。在这里，我们提供了纳米和微凝胶领域的最新进展和新兴趋势的概述。以下方面是我们讨论的重点：通过合成定制（多）功能性；在生物和生物医学应用中的作用；作为模型系统的结构和性质，例如在体相和界面处的密集排列；以及理论和计算机模拟。
