Microfluidic Fabrication of Phase-Inverted Microcapsules with Asymmetric Shell Membranes with Graded Porosity

ACS Macro Lett. 2021 Jan 19;10(1):116-121. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00858. Epub 2020 Dec 28.

Abstract

Microcapsules with liquid cores and solid shells are attractive as dispersible protective micron-sized containers. Applications that rely on molecular mass transport often require a combination of size selectivity, high permeability, and mechanical stability. Capsule architectures that combine all these features represent a material property, design, and fabrication challenge. In this work, the design of an asymmetric microcapsule shell architecture is reported to achieve a good combination of the desired features. Poly(methyl methacrylate) phase-inverted microcapsules featuring an asymmetric graded macroporous shell covered with a dense skin separation layer are obtained from water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion drops that are phase-inverted in a water-based coagulation bath. The phase-inverted microcapsules exhibit good mechanical stability and allow for high permeability of its shell membrane with molecular size dependence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Capsules
  • Emulsions
  • Microfluidics*
  • Porosity
  • Water*

Substances

  • Capsules
  • Emulsions
  • Water