Preparation and characterization of microgels sensitive toward copper II ions

► Preparation of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide microgels with up to 30% vinyl imidazole incorporated. ► Such microgels are sensitive to temperature (swell on cooling). ► Such microgels are sensitive to pH (swell on decreasing pH). ► Such microgels are sensitive to concentration of copper ions. ► Such microgels can absorb up to 2 g of copper per gram of microgels.