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GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
Core–shell microgels made of non-responsive polystyrene core and responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) shell show exceptional properties as compared to homogenous microgels prepared by conventional methods. Due to the presence of solid polystyrene core, such type of microgels can be easily recycled from reaction mixture. Different methodologies adopted to prepare polystyrene-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) based core–shell microgels have been described in this review article. Extraordinary properties of core–shell microgels induced due to the presence of solid polystyrene core have also been elaborated. Temperature responsive, feed contents tuned as well as charged-based characteristics of these core–shell microgels have also been discussed in detail. Various analytical techniques used to characterize these core–shell microgels have also been enlightened. Application of polystyrene-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) based core–shell microgels as micro-reactor, efficient adsorbent for various type of proteins, source for synthesis of hollow microspheres for various applications, and catalysts in oxidation/reduction reactions have also been discussed critically in detail in this review article. Future directions of polystyrene-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) based core–shell microgels have also been described to help researchers working in this field.
Abbreviations
| Nipa | = | N-isopropylacrylamide |
| LA | = | Lauric acid |
| Aac | = | Acrylic acid |
| MAac | = | Methacrylic acid |
| MAc | = | Methyl acrylate acid |
| RM | = | Rheometery |
| VM | = | Viscometery |
| Mh | = | Methacryloyl hydrazide |
| PSt | = | Polystyrene |
| Al2O3 | = | Alumina |
| MBIs | = | N,N-methylenebisacrylamide |
| AMPhc | = | Azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride |
| SDS | = | Sodium dodecyl sulfate |
| EDS | = | Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy |
| KPs | = | Potassium peroxydisulfate |
| XPS | = | X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy |
| FTiR | = | Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy |
| TEM | = | Transmission electron microscopy |
| TGA | = | Thermo gravimetric analysis |
| DLS | = | Dynamic light scattering |
| FESEM | = | Field emission scanning electron microscopy |
| HMEm | = | 2-[p-2(-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone)]-ethylene glycol methacrylate |
| LCST | = | The lowest critical solution temperature |
| SAXS | = | Small angle X-ray scattering |
| SANS | = | Small angle neutron scattering |
| SEM | = | Scanning electron microscopy |
| QELS | = | Quasi-elastic light scattering |
| p(MAMVe) | = | poly(maleic anhydride-alt-methyl vinyl ether) |
| p(Nam-Nas) | = | poly(N-acryloylmorpholine-co-N-acryloxysuccinimide) |
| VPTT | = | Volume phase transition temperature |
| HNMR | = | Proton nuclear magnetic resonance |
| PSA | = | Particle size analysis |
| LLS | = | Laser light scattering |
| Ppy | = | Polypyrrole |
| Em | = | Electrophoretic mobility |
| MNPs | = | Metal nanoparticles |
| 4-Np | = | 4-nitrophenol |
| 2-AEt | = | 2-aminoethanethiol |
| GC | = | Gas chromatography |
| TOF | = | Turn over frequency |
| AFm | = | Aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride |
Acknowledgments
Authors are thankful to Higher Education Commission, Pakistan for financial support under research grant of National Research Program for Universities [No. 20--3995/NRPU/R&D/HEC/ 14/1212].