Synthesis of tunable thickness-to-diameter ratio microcapsules via a diffusion-controlled process for...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Designing functionalized microcapsules for triggered release is crucial but faces synthesis challenges.
• Existing methods often involve complex procedures for controlling microcapsule properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified synthesis strategy for microcapsules with tunable physical properties.
• To investigate the relationship between synthesis parameters and microcapsule characteristics.
• To demonstrate the triggered release capabilities of the synthesized microcapsules.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a mixed solvent system during interfacial polymerization to control monomer diffusion.
• Employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze microcapsule morphology and thickness-to-diameter ratios (T/D).
• Investigated microcapsule crosslinking behavior using poly(vinyl chloride) and a rotational rheometer.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared microcapsules with tunable T/D ratios by controlling monomer diffusion.
• Observed a progressive increase in T/D with monomer diffusion, allowing control over glass transition temperature.
• Demonstrated precise, temperature-triggered release of microcapsule contents.

Conclusions:

• The novel, simple synthesis strategy offers a facile route to microcapsules with controllable physical properties.
• The developed microcapsules exhibit excellent external stimulus-responsive triggered release capabilities.
• This approach holds significant potential for diverse applications requiring controlled release mechanisms.