Issue 15, 2012

Core–shell microgels as model colloids for rheological studies

Abstract

We review recent work done on the rheology of thermosensitive suspensions. These systems consist of aqueous suspensions of core–shell particles having a solid polystyrene core and a shell of thermosensitive crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA). In cold water the thermosensitive PNIPA-network is swollen leading to a high effective volume fraction of the particles in suspension. Approaching the volume transition at 32 °C the network shrinks by expelling water. Hence, the effective volume fraction can be adjusted by the temperature. We demonstrate that these suspensions are a well-characterized model system for the study of the flow behavior of concentrated suspensions. In particular, experimental work done on this system can be compared to the predictions of the mode-coupling theory (MCT) of the fluid-to-glass transition. Excellent agreement is found demonstrating that MCT captures the essential features of the dynamics of flowing suspensions. In particular, MCT predicts a melting of the glass by shear which is fully corroborated by the experimental data.

Graphical abstract: Core–shell microgels as model colloids for rheological studies

Additions and corrections

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
20 Oct 2011
Accepted
03 Feb 2012
First published
16 Feb 2012

Soft Matter, 2012,8, 4014-4024

Core–shell microgels as model colloids for rheological studies

M. Siebenbürger, M. Fuchs and M. Ballauff, Soft Matter, 2012, 8, 4014 DOI: 10.1039/C2SM07011A

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