Microgels based on 0D-3D carbon materials: Synthetic techniques, properties, applications, and challenges

Vinh Van Tran; Eunsol Wi; Seo Young Shin; Daeho Lee; Yoong Ahm Kim; Byung Chol Ma; Mincheol Chang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135981

Microgels based on 0D-3D carbon materials: Synthetic techniques, properties, applications, and challenges

Chemosphere. 2022 Nov;307(Pt 3):135981. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135981. Epub 2022 Aug 11.

Authors

Vinh Van Tran¹, Eunsol Wi², Seo Young Shin², Daeho Lee¹, Yoong Ahm Kim³, Byung Chol Ma⁴, Mincheol Chang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Laser and Thermal Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, South Korea.
² Department of Polymer Engineering, Graduate School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
³ Department of Polymer Engineering, Graduate School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea; School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea; Alan G. MacDiarmid Energy Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
⁴ School of Chemical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea. Electronic address: anjeon@jnu.ac.kr.
⁵ Department of Polymer Engineering, Graduate School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea; School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea; Alan G. MacDiarmid Energy Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea. Electronic address: mchang35@chonnam.ac.kr.

PMID: 35964721
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135981

Abstract

Microgels are three-dimensional (3D) colloidal hydrogel particles with outstanding features such as biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, tunable sizes from submicrometer to tens of nanometers, and large surface areas. Because of these unique qualities, microgels have been widely used in various applications. Carbon-based materials (CMs) with various dimensions (0-3D) have recently been investigated as promising candidates for the design and fabrication of microgels because of their large surface area, excellent conductivity, unique chemical stability, and low cost. Here, we provide a critical review of the specific characteristics of CMs that are being incorporated into microgels, as well as the state-of-the art applications of CM-microgels in pollutant adsorption and photodegradation, H₂ evoluation, CO₂ capture, soil conditioners, water retention, drug delivery, cell encapsulation, and tissue engineering. Advanced preparation techniques for CM-microgel systems are also summarized and discussed. Finally, challenges related to the low colloidal stability of CM-microgels and development strategies are examined. This review shows that CM-microgels have the potential to be widely used in various practical applications.

Keywords: Carbon materials; Drug delivery; Hydrogels; Microfluidics; Microgels; Pollutant adsorption.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
Carbon
Carbon Dioxide
Environmental Pollutants*
Hydrogels / chemistry
Microgels*
Soil
Water

Substances

Biocompatible Materials
Environmental Pollutants
Hydrogels
Microgels
Soil
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon