Micro‐ and Nanogels at Fluid Interfaces: Single‐Particle Properties and Collective Behavior

Soft, deformable colloidal particles consisting of swollen crosslinked polymer networks, also known as micro- and nanogels, have seen significant developments in recent decades. In particular, their adsorption, confinement, and assembly at fluid interfaces, e.g. water–oil or water–air interfaces, present great opportunities, both for applications and fundamental studies alike, compared to the case of mechanically rigid particles. Here, we review some of the key aspects of the utilization of micro- and nanogels at fluid interfaces, starting from a discussion of their reconfiguration upon adsorption as a function of their properties, followed by an analysis of the behavior of microgel monolayers. We conclude by discussing some of the many applications for soft particles at interfaces and present some promising directions for future research.