Hydrogels are “smart” polymers that respond to an external stimulus with a change in their physical characteristics. The response of gel microstructures, or microgels, to an external stimulus depends on their size and synthesis route. Smart microgels based on poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly (methacrylic acid) were prepared by combining the aspects of x-ray lithography and a novel synchrotron-radiation-induced polymerization. The morphology of microgels prepared by this novel synthesis route was characterized by optical and atomic force microscopy to better understand their response properties. Microgels obtained from this method are in a hydrophobic state and are richly nanoporous in their morphology. Average pore size of these gel networks lies within a few hundreds of nanometers as observed from atomic force microscopy. Due to their ultrafast response, these microgel structures can be used as microtransducers that respond to a change in moisture concentration.
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