Liquid-Core Capsules via Interfacial Polymerization: A Free-Radical Analogy of the Nylon Rope Trick
摘要:
Liquid-core capsules have wide-ranging applications in the high-efficiency encapsulation and controlled release of drugs, dyes, enzymes, and other substrates. Their great utility has driven the rapid development of various preparation techniques. However, there remains no convenient technique for the preparation of submicrometer liquid-core capsules with shell thicknesses less than 100 nm. Here, we demonstrate a new interfacial free-radical polymerization approach for the straightforward preparation of liquid-core polymer capsules. Conceptually, this interfacial free-radical polymerization is analogous to the classical "nylon rope trick" wherein hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers alternately copolymerize to constrain the polymerization at interfaces, but its free-radical mechanism allows precise control of initiation, which makes it possible to finely disperse the immiscible phases prior to polymerization.
Liquid core capsules and methods of synthesis thereof through interfacial polymerization
申请人:Wu Dan
公开号:US20060127490A1
公开(公告)日:2006-06-15
A process for the encapsulation of liquid particles within nanometer thick polymer shells utilizes an interfacial free radical alternating copolymerization process. Encapsulating a liquid material includes providing a mixture comprising the liquid material to be encapsulated, a hydrophobic monomer in a non-polar solution and a hydrophilic monomer in a polar solution. The liquid material is compatible in either the polar solution or the non-polar solution. The polar solution and the non-polar solution are not miscible in each other. The mixture is homogenized to form an emulsion, and then polymerized by an initiator which initiates an interfacial free radical alternating copolymerization process. The copolymerization process is optimally constrained to proceed only at the hydrophobic and hydrophilic interface thus forming a polymer around the liquid material.
Liquid-Core Capsules via Interfacial Polymerization: A Free-Radical Analogy of the Nylon Rope Trick
作者:Charles Scott、Dan Wu、Chia-Chi Ho、Carlos C. Co
DOI:10.1021/ja044532h
日期:2005.3.1
Liquid-core capsules have wide-ranging applications in the high-efficiency encapsulation and controlled release of drugs, dyes, enzymes, and other substrates. Their great utility has driven the rapid development of various preparation techniques. However, there remains no convenient technique for the preparation of submicrometer liquid-core capsules with shell thicknesses less than 100 nm. Here, we demonstrate a new interfacial free-radical polymerization approach for the straightforward preparation of liquid-core polymer capsules. Conceptually, this interfacial free-radical polymerization is analogous to the classical "nylon rope trick" wherein hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers alternately copolymerize to constrain the polymerization at interfaces, but its free-radical mechanism allows precise control of initiation, which makes it possible to finely disperse the immiscible phases prior to polymerization.