Synthesis of Thermosensitive Microgels with a Tunable Magnetic Core

In this work, we describe a new methodology for the preparation of monodisperse and thermosensitive microgels with magnetic core. In order to produce such a material, hydrophobic magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by two methods: thermal decomposition and coprecipitation. The surface of these nanoparticles was modified by addition of 3-butenoic acid, and after that these nanoparticles were dispersed in water and submitted to free radical polymerization at 70 degrees C in the presence of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and bisacrylamide. The result of this reaction was monodisperse microgels with a magnetic core. By varying the amount of 3-butenoic acid, it was possible to obtain hybrid microgels with different magnetic core sizes and different architectures.