Hydroxypropylcellulose templated synthesis of surfactant-free poly(acrylic acid) nanogels in aqueous media

► Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) can form hydrogen bonding with acrylic acid (AA). ► HPC aqueous solution undergoes AA-triggered phase transition at lower temperature. ► HPC are employed as template to prepare surfactant-free poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) nanogels. ► The size and size distribution of PAA nanogels can be adjusted by varying HPC concentration.