Preparation of pH-Responsive Dual-Compartmental Microcapsules via Pickering Emulsion and Their Application in Multifunctional Textiles

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2021 Jan 13;13(1):1234-1244. doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c18043. Epub 2020 Dec 21.

Abstract

Currently, smart and functional textiles have attracted increasing attention for the research on their application in various fields. In this paper, perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS13)-loaded silica nanocapsules taken as the Pickering emulsifier was applied to stabilize O/W emulsion for obtaining pH-responsive dual-compartmental microcapsules which show a strawberry-like structure with jasmine essence as the core and pH-responsive polymers and silica nanocapsules as the shell. These microcapsules could endow it with multifunctions by functionalizing the fabric, while the preparation and functionalization process is effortless and environmental friendly. Not only does the treated fabric demonstrate the self-healing superhydrophobicity and ultraviolet (UV) resistance because of the hydrophobic FAS13 getting loaded into silica nanocapsules and the surface modification of UV absorbent, it is also capable of the pH control jasmine essence-releasing performance, which allows over 40% of the fragrance to be preserved for three months through the controlled release of jasmine essence from the microcapsules.

Keywords: Pickering emulsion; UV resistance; fragrance; microcapsules; superhydrophobicity.