Fatty acid-modified microgels: Transmission electron microscopy study

In order to examine modified microgels with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we developed a sample preparation protocol that employs colloidal gold to label the sample/resin interface. This approach avoids the introduction of additional components to the prepolymer mixture, possibly altering the material properties of the resulting hydrogel. Examination of thinly sectioned hydrogels embedded in resin by TEM revealed that the gold particles clearly outlined the hydrogel/resin interface, facilitating characterization of a fatty acid coating on the hydrogel.