Microgel synthesis

Radical polymerization in dilute solution has been used throughout this work for microgel synthesis [14,15]. This is... 

The monomers employed for microgel synthesis were freshly distilled to free them from inhibitors prior to use. Other chemicals and solvents were of reagent grade and were used as received. 

Since microgels are intramolecularly crosslinked macromolecules of colloidal dimensions, it is necessary for their synthesis to control the size of the growing crosslinked molecules. This can be achieved by carrying out polymerization and crosslinking in a restricted volume, i.e. that of a micelle or of a polymer coil. Thus, two general methods of microgel synthesis are available (1) emulsion polymerization, and (2) solution polymerization. 

Microgels can be prepared by heterophase polymerization (free radical or controlled radical) of monomers in the presence of a crosslinking agent in aqueous phase. Heterophase polymerization techniques suitable for microgel synthesis are precipitation polymerization and inverse mini- and microemulsion. 

Li P, Liu R (2015) Cellulose gels and microgels synthesis, service, and supramolecular interactions. In Seiffert S (ed) Supramolecular polymer networks. Advances in Polymer Science. Springer, Cham... 

Cellulose Gels and Microgels Synthesis, Service, and Supramolecular Interactions... 

---