This Dept Seminar will host Walter Richtering (Aachen).
Walter will be available to meet with researchers on the day, please get in touch with Nazila (nazila.kamaly@imperial.ac.uk) if you would like to meet with him.
Agenda
13:30 – 14:00 ECR speaker: TBC
14:00 – 15:00 Main speaker: Walter Richtering (RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Physical Chemistry)
Soft adaptive nanogels
Softness is recognized to play a key role in determining the macroscopic properties of many colloidal systems. However, we are still missing a clear understanding what the term “softness” means in nanoscience. Here, we propose different quantities that can be measured experimentally to address the question what makes a nano-material soft.
We use nanogels, i.e. macromolecular networks swollen by a solvent, as model systems for soft colloids. These are unique systems that are distinctly different from common colloids, such as, e.g., rigid nanoparticles, flexible macromolecules, micelles or vesicles. They reveal interface activity without being amphiphilic and can be used to tune the particle-to-macromolecule transition.
We will discuss properties of adaptive nanogels of different architecture (as e.g. ultra-low crosslinked, hollow, multi-shell, anisotropic) in solution and at interfaces. The structure of nanogels and nanogel assemblies in bulk solution and at interfaces is investigated by means of scattering methods as well as by optical and force microscopy. Finally, we will highlight some applications that exploit the unique properties of adaptive nanogels.
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee & networking