Acrylic Microgels: Preparation and Application

Microgels are micrometer-sized particles which consist of a cross-linked polymer network swollen by a solvent, typically water. Nowadays, these materials are an important topic of interdisciplinary research in the fields of polymer chemistry and physics, materials science, pharmacy, and medicine. They have a broad field of actual and potential applications ranging from filler materials in coating industry to modern biomaterials for controlled drug delivery. The most famous examples of microgel materials are cross-linked poly (acrylic acid) and its derivatives with various cross-linker types. One of the major applications of these materials is their use as thickeners. The high surface areas of microgels allow them to absorb large amounts of solvent to increase the viscosity of their solution. The purpose of this paper is to investigate methods for the synthesis of acrylic microgels, and to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method depending on the application and at the end, a brief description will be made on their main applications.