Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
12:21
Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites
Published on: February 6, 2016
Preparation and characterization of light-sensitive microcapsules based on a liquid crystalline polyester
Krzysztof Artur Bogdanowicz1, Bartosz Tylkowski, Marta Giamberini
1Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Enginyeria Química, Av. Països Catalans, 26-43007, Tarragona, Spain.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 19, 2012
Summary
UV light triggers the release of vanillin from photosensitive microcapsules. This controlled release is enabled by changes in the microcapsule shell
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Photosensitive polymers offer potential for controlled release applications.
- Poly(α-methylstilbenesebacoate-co-α-methylstilbeneisophthalate) incorporates photosensitive moieties.
- Microcapsules are versatile delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize photosensitive microcapsules.
- To investigate the effect of UV irradiation on microcapsule morphology and vanillin release.
- To explore the potential of these microcapsules for controlled release applications.
Main Methods:
- Phase-inversion precipitation for microcapsule preparation.
- Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements for membrane characterization.
- UV irradiation and monitoring of vanillin release.
Main Results:
- Microcapsules with smooth, dense surfaces were successfully prepared.
- UV irradiation significantly altered the surface morphology of the microcapsules.
- Vanillin release was negligible in the absence of UV light but initiated after approximately 20 minutes of irradiation.
Conclusions:
- UV-responsive poly(α-methylstilbenesebacoate-co-α-methylstilbeneisophthalate) microcapsules demonstrate controlled release capabilities.
- The photosensitive moiety is key to triggering vanillin release upon UV exposure.
- These findings suggest potential for light-triggered drug delivery or other responsive material applications.
