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Polyelectrolyte Microcapsule-Assembled Colloidosomes: A Novel Strategy for the Encapsulation of Hydrophobic
Egor V Musin1, Alexey V Dubrovskii2, Yuri S Chebykin2
1Moscow Polytechnic University (Moscow Polytech), Bolshaya Semyonovskaya St., 38, Moscow 107023, Russia.
Polymers
|July 30, 2025
Summary
This study presents a new method for encapsulating hydrophobic substances using colloidosomes made from polyelectrolyte microcapsules (PMCs). Manganese carbonate cores yielded more stable PMCs, improving hydrophobic encapsulation for potential drug delivery and environmental applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Encapsulating hydrophobic substances is challenging due to low efficiency and leakage.
- Existing microcapsule technologies have limitations in stability and controlled release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for creating stable colloidosomes for hydrophobic substance encapsulation.
- To investigate the influence of core material and size on polyelectrolyte microcapsule (PMC) stability and subsequent colloidosome formation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polyelectrolyte microcapsules (PMCs) using layer-by-layer assembly on carbonate cores (MnCO3 or CaCO3).
- Core dissolution and solvent gradient replacement to introduce kerosene into the PMC interior.
- Self-assembly of PMCs into colloidosomes upon resuspension in water.
Main Results:
- Manganese carbonate-based PMCs (2.5-3 µm) demonstrated 3.5-fold greater stability than calcium carbonate-based PMCs (4.5-5.5 µm).
- Confocal microscopy confirmed the formation of colloidosomes with a kerosene core and PMC shell.
- While degradation occurred within 30 minutes, 5% of colloidosomes remained intact after water evaporation.
Conclusions:
- PMC-based colloidosomes offer enhanced stability and tunable properties for hydrophobic encapsulation.
- Core material selection (MnCO3) and solvent engineering are critical for optimizing performance.
- These novel colloidosomes show significant potential for drug delivery, agrochemicals, and environmental technologies.
