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Published on: May 20, 2018
Microfluidic polymer multilayer adsorption on liquid crystal droplets for microcapsule synthesis
Craig Priest1, Anthony Quinn, Almar Postma
1Ian Wark Research Institute, ARC Special Research Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia. craig.priest@unisa.edu.au
Lab on a Chip
|November 22, 2008
Summary
This study introduces a novel microfluidic method for creating multilayer polymer capsules quickly and efficiently. This automated technique offers a superior alternative to traditional batch synthesis for biomedical applications like drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Conventional batch synthesis of polymer microcapsules is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Developing efficient and automated methods for microcapsule synthesis is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate chip-based multilayer assembly using microfluidic principles for polymer microcapsule synthesis.
- To establish continuous flow microfluidic multilayer synthesis as a fast, efficient, and automated alternative to batch methods.
Main Methods:
- Dispersing liquid crystal (LC) molecules in an aqueous phase with polymer and surfactant to form stabilized emulsion droplets.
- Utilizing a microfluidic channel for sequential withdrawal and infusion of polymer solutions to build multilayer shells around droplets.
- Employing fluorescence microscopy to monitor polymer adsorption and multilayer formation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a continuous flow microfluidic multilayer synthesis process.
- Achieved rapid formation of 3-layer capsules in under 2 minutes.
- Produced well-defined, monodisperse polymer capsules after cross-linking and LC removal.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic multilayer synthesis is a fast, efficient, and automated method for producing polymer microcapsules.
- The resulting microcapsules possess high monodispersity and are suitable for biomedical applications.
- This technique holds promise for drug delivery and encapsulated biochemical reactions.
