Temperature-controlled transitions between glass. liquid, and gel states in dense p-NIPA suspensions

Abstract

(Figure Presented) The elastic modulus, G'p, of concentrated suspensions of thermoresponsive microgel particles highlights transitions between glassy, liquid-like, and gel-like behavior as the temperature is varied. Approaching the low critical solution temperature of the particles, Tc ≈ 29 °C, the material undergoes solid-to-liquid transitions even above random close packing and irrespective of particle concentration. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.