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Softness matters : effects of compression on the behavior of adsorbed microgels at interfaces

Gerelli, Yuri ; Camerin, Fabrizio LU orcid ; Bochenek, Steffen ; Schmidt, Maximilian M. ; Maestro, Armando ; Richtering, Walter ; Zaccarelli, Emanuela and Scotti, Andrea (2024) In Soft Matter
Abstract

Deformable colloids and macromolecules adsorb at interfaces as they decrease the interfacial energy between the two media. The deformability, or softness, of these particles plays a pivotal role in the properties of the interface. In this study, we employ a comprehensive in situ approach, combining neutron reflectometry with molecular dynamics simulations, to thoroughly examine the profound influence of softness on the structure of microgel Langmuir monolayers under compression. Lateral compression of both hard and soft microgel particle monolayers induces substantial structural alterations, leading to an amplified protrusion of the microgels into the aqueous phase. However, a critical distinction emerges: hard microgels are pushed away... (More)

Deformable colloids and macromolecules adsorb at interfaces as they decrease the interfacial energy between the two media. The deformability, or softness, of these particles plays a pivotal role in the properties of the interface. In this study, we employ a comprehensive in situ approach, combining neutron reflectometry with molecular dynamics simulations, to thoroughly examine the profound influence of softness on the structure of microgel Langmuir monolayers under compression. Lateral compression of both hard and soft microgel particle monolayers induces substantial structural alterations, leading to an amplified protrusion of the microgels into the aqueous phase. However, a critical distinction emerges: hard microgels are pushed away from the interface, in stark contrast to the soft ones, which remain firmly anchored to it. Concurrently, on the air-exposed side of the monolayer, lateral compression induces a flattening of the surface of the hard monolayer. This phenomenon is not observed for the soft particles as the monolayer is already extremely flat even in the absence of compression. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the key role of softness on both the equilibrium phase behavior of the monolayer and its effect when soft colloids are used as stabilizers of responsive interfaces and emulsions.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
in
Soft Matter
publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
external identifiers
  • scopus:85190721872
ISSN
1744-683X
DOI
10.1039/d4sm00235k
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
28b425a3-4335-468f-97cb-3e3514271ed2
date added to LUP
2024-05-03 09:46:50
date last changed
2024-05-03 09:47:49
@article{28b425a3-4335-468f-97cb-3e3514271ed2,
  abstract     = {{<p>Deformable colloids and macromolecules adsorb at interfaces as they decrease the interfacial energy between the two media. The deformability, or softness, of these particles plays a pivotal role in the properties of the interface. In this study, we employ a comprehensive in situ approach, combining neutron reflectometry with molecular dynamics simulations, to thoroughly examine the profound influence of softness on the structure of microgel Langmuir monolayers under compression. Lateral compression of both hard and soft microgel particle monolayers induces substantial structural alterations, leading to an amplified protrusion of the microgels into the aqueous phase. However, a critical distinction emerges: hard microgels are pushed away from the interface, in stark contrast to the soft ones, which remain firmly anchored to it. Concurrently, on the air-exposed side of the monolayer, lateral compression induces a flattening of the surface of the hard monolayer. This phenomenon is not observed for the soft particles as the monolayer is already extremely flat even in the absence of compression. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the key role of softness on both the equilibrium phase behavior of the monolayer and its effect when soft colloids are used as stabilizers of responsive interfaces and emulsions.</p>}},
  author       = {{Gerelli, Yuri and Camerin, Fabrizio and Bochenek, Steffen and Schmidt, Maximilian M. and Maestro, Armando and Richtering, Walter and Zaccarelli, Emanuela and Scotti, Andrea}},
  issn         = {{1744-683X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Royal Society of Chemistry}},
  series       = {{Soft Matter}},
  title        = {{Softness matters : effects of compression on the behavior of adsorbed microgels at interfaces}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d4sm00235k}},
  doi          = {{10.1039/d4sm00235k}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}