Structure of multiresponsive "intelligent" core-shell microgels.

A doubly temperature-sensitive core-shell microgel composed of two temperature-sensitive polymers with different lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) in the core and shell has been studied by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The application of a novel universal form factor model in the analysis of the SANS data reveals that the radial density profile at temperatures above the LCSTs of both polymers can be well described by a two-box profile with narrow interfaces. At temperatures between the LCSTs, the radial density profile reveals that the core in the core-shell microgel has larger dimensions than the naked core. Thus the swollen shell pulls the core apart. At temperatures below both LCSTs, however, the shell restricts the core swelling, and the core is found to be smaller than in its native state. This clearly demonstrates the mutual influence of core and shell swelling.