Facile preparation of highly monodisperse poly(NIPAAm)–AuNP composite hollow microcapsules by simple tubular microfluidics

Abstract

We present an easy tubular microfluidic fabrication of highly monodisperse poly(NIPAAm)–AuNP composite hollow microcapsules with pickering effect assisted impregnation of AuNPs into the walls of microcapsules via UV-induced interfacial free-radical polymerization (IFRP). We maintained an excellent control over the monodispersity and capsule size distribution and the particles showed good thermosensitivity. The microfluidic device is simple and flexible in making; therefore, it permits a tunable UV curing chamber to control the polymerization time. Additionally, we present insight into the correlation between the polymerization time and the structural transformations (breathing, buckling and creasing) in the polymeric microcapsules. The structural transformations are independent of AuNPs embedded in the polymeric shell.