Monodisperse thermo-responsive microgels of poly(ethylene glycol) analogue-based biopolymers, their manufacture, and their applications

A method for preparing monodisperse, thermo-responsive microgels comprising the steps of:

• a) dissolving MEO2MA, OEGMA, a crosslinker, and a surfactant in deionized water to give a first solution;
• b) purging the first solution with nitrogen gas for about 40 minutes at about 70° C.;
• c) adding potassium persulfate dissolved in water to the first solution to give a second solution;
• d) allowing the second solution to react for about 6 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at about 70° C. to give a third solution;
• e) purifying the third solution using dialysis against water for about one week at about room temperature;
• and
• f) ultracentrifuging the third solution to collect the monodisperse microgels.

A method for preparing monodisperse, thermo-responsive microgels comprising the steps of:

• a) 0.016 mol of additive and 0 to 4.6×10−4 mol EGDMA, glycerol, or GDD, and SDS in 245 g deionized water to give a first solution;
• b) purging the first solution with nitrogen gas for about 40 minutes at about 70° C. to give a second solution;
• c) adding 0.10 g ammonium persulfate dissolved in 5 ml water to form a third solution;
• d) allowing the third solution to react for about 12 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at about 70° C. to form a fourth solution;
• e) purifying the fourth solution using dialysis against water for about one week at about room temperature to form a fifth solution;
• and
• f) ultracentrifuging the fifth solution to collect the monodisperse microgels w/additive.