CO2-triggered liquid–solid switching through a jamming mechanism

Abstract

The concept of jamming is introduced into a CO₂-responsive microgel suspension. The particle size of the microgel changes with the pH of the solvent and the rheological properties of the suspension are responsive to the triggering of CO₂. At a certain concentration of the microgel, the microgel suspension transforms from a liquid into a solid-like material as CO₂ is bubbled into it, and it returns to a liquid after the CO₂ is blown away with N₂. The CO₂-triggered jamming is rapid and reversible, leading to many interesting applications of the system.