Colloidal microgel systems: phase transition properties in aqueous solution of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

Abstract

A reversible phase transition, in aqueous solution, of the colloidal poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel system with an excess specific heat capacity maximum at 307.7 K (in the concentration range 0.05–0.5% m/m) is observed using high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (HSDSC); the thermodynamic parameters and turbidimetric changes associated with this transition are reported.