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Self-Assembled Microplastic-Free Microcapsules Using Aromatic Bis-Ureas with Improved Strength and Tunable Barrier
Siddhant Pravin Bhutkar1, Pierre-Eric Millard2, Henning Urch3
1School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 14, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed microplastic-free microcapsules using aromatic bis-urea molecules for controlled release of herbicides. This biodegradable alternative offers high encapsulation efficiency and tunable release, reducing environmental pollution from agrochemicals.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Materials science
- Green chemistry
Background:
- Microencapsulation of agrochemicals improves efficiency and safety.
- Current polyurea microcapsules are nonbiodegradable, contributing to microplastic pollution.
- Need for sustainable alternatives in agrochemical formulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop microplastic-free microcapsules for agrochemical encapsulation.
- To utilize aromatic bis-urea molecules for self-assembled supramolecular shells.
- To evaluate the performance of these novel microcapsules compared to conventional ones.
Main Methods:
- One-pot interfacial self-assembly of aromatic bis-urea molecules.
- Encapsulation of cinmethylin herbicide.
- Characterization using infrared spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, and mass spectrometry.
- Accelerated thermal release tests and mechanical strength evaluation.
Main Results:
- Synthesized well-dispersed microcapsules (1-10 microm) with >99% encapsulation efficiency.
- Reduced cinmethylin evaporation by up to 90% compared to nonencapsulated form.
- Achieved release profiles comparable to industrial polyurea microcapsules.
- Demonstrated tunable release rates and enhanced mechanical strength.
Conclusions:
- Aromatic bis-urea microcapsules offer a biodegradable and effective alternative to conventional microplastics.
- The straightforward synthesis process is compatible with existing industrial equipment.
- These microcapsules show significant potential for sustainable agrochemical delivery systems.
