Cationic polyvinylamine binding to anionic microgels yields kinetically controlled structures

Polyvinylamine (PVAm) binding (absorption and adsorption) to carboxylated microgels gave colloidally stable, cationic microgels that can be centrifuged, washed, freeze dried, and redispersed in water with no loss in colloidal stability. Because both PVAm and the carboxylated microgels are pH sensitive, changes in microgel swelling and electrophoretic mobility in response to pH change can be positive or negative depending upon pH and the PVAm …