ИСТИНА

Internal structure of nano- and microgels resembles elements of macroscopic polymer network: linear chains (subchains) are covalently linked with each other into three-dimensional frame of the size in the range between tens of nanometers and few microns. As a result, the microgels reveal the properties of soft colloidal particles which are permeable for solvent and dissolved (macro)molecules. The most remarkable property of the microgels is their ability to swell and collapse under variation of environmental conditions (temperature, pH, etc.). This property can efficiently be exploited in many applications, in particular, for uptake and release of guest molecules [1,2]. It has been shown recently that the spherical microgels can serve as “soft”, penetrable and stimuli sensitive alternative of solid particles which can stabilize emulsions. Such emulsions have peculiar properties and can easily be destroyed under external stimuli leading to desorption of the microgel particles [3]. In the present paper, we report about few effects which are characteristic for the microgels. In particular, microgels adsorbed at water-oil interface reveal peculiar behavior comprising an ability to homogeneously mix two immiscible liquids (oil and water) inside the microgel [4,5]. They demonstrate very efficient catalytic activity in reactions for which two immiscible reactants can be mixed in the presence of a catalyst inside the microgel and react. Interaction of the amphiphilic microgels with solid substrate [6,7] and lipid bilayers [8] is considered.