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. 2017 Sep 15;3(9):e1700321. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1700321

Fig. 1. Responsive lock-and-key microgel particle characterization.

Fig. 1

(A) CLSM micrographs of bowl-shaped composite microgels fluorescently labeled in red (rhodamine dye) used as a lock particle. (B) Key particles consisting of cross-linked PNIPAM microgel particles labeled in green (fluorescein), as imaged by CLSM. Scale bars, 1 μm. (C and D) Hydrodynamic radius and electrophoretic mobility measured as a function of temperature: bowl-shaped lock composite microgel (solid circles) and spherical key microgel particle (solid squares). The measurements cross three regions delimited by the VPT temperature of the lock-and-key particles, TVPT,L and TVPT,K. In region 1 (T < TVPT,K), both particles are swollen. In region 2 (TVPT,K ≤ T ≤ TVPT,L), lock particles are swollen and key particles are collapsed. In region 3 (TVPT,L < T), both particles are collapsed.