ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Temperature responsive binary gelation of pNIPAM microgels and a neutral triblock-copolymer surfactant.

Abstract: SANS will be used to study the structure of an adsorbed polymermic surfactant on pNIPAM microgels. It has been observed that when mixtures of pNIPAM microgels and triblock-copolymer surfactant are heated above the volume phase transition temperature of pNIPAM, the sample transitions from a liquid to a gel. This transition is fully reversible. We have demonstrated that the gelation is a result of the association of the polymers at elevated temperatures, however the nature of the association is unclear. We aim to use SANS to reveal the structure of the adsorbed polymer, to elucidate whether the gel network results from polymer micelles bridging the microgel particles, or whether the surfactant penetrates inside the microgel periphery and this results in gelation. This study will ultimately lead to a greater understanding of this binary gelation and aid with future design of these systems.

Principal Investigator: Dr Jeroen van Duijneveldt
Local Contact: Dr Steve King
Experimenter: Miss Sian Fussell

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2010103

ISIS Experiment Number: RB2010103

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Jeroen van Duijneveldt et al; (2020): Temperature responsive binary gelation of pNIPAM microgels and a neutral triblock-copolymer surfactant., STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2010103

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.