Core-shell microgels as nanoreactors

Abstract

Core-shell microgel particles consisting of a solid core and a shell of crosslinked PNIPA network present model systems of high interest. Here we review our recent work on the core-shell microgel particles and their application as nanoreactors for the immobilization of catalytic active metal nanoparticles or enzymes. The catalytic activity of nanoparticles can be modulated both by the volume transition and the change of polarity of the thermosensitive shell of the carrier system. Special emphasis is put on recent work on the kinetic analysis of protein adsorption onto microgel particles, which was complemented with the thermodynamic study done by ITC. All results herein demonstrate that core-shell microgel particles may serve as “active” nanoreactor for catalytically active nanostructures, namely for metal nanoparticles and enzymes.