Designer Polymer-Based Microcapsules Made Using Microfluidics

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 144 - 152
• Main Authors: Chen, Philipp W, Erb, Randall M, Studart, André R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 10.01.2012
• Subjects: Capsules; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Colloids: Surfactants and Self-Assembly, Dispersions, Emulsions, Foams; Emulsions. Microemulsions. Foams; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Microfluidics; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Polymers - chemistry; Water; Binary compound; Compression; Nanoparticle; In situ; Silica; Template; Design; Glass transition; Emulsion; Release; Quantitative analysis; Transition temperature; Statistical analysis; Flow rate; Device; Fluid; Microcapsule; Prediction; Rupture; Mechanical properties; Polymer; Capsule; Permeability; Thickness; Geometry; Oil; Monodispersed particle; Microstructure
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la203088u

Filled microcapsules made from double emulsion templates in microfluidic devices are attractive delivery systems for a variety of applications. The microfluidic approach allows facile tailoring of the microcapsules through a large number of variables, which in turn makes these systems more challenging to predict. To elucidate these dependencies, we start from earlier theoretical predictions for the size of double emulsions and present quantitative design maps that correlate parameters such as fluid flow rates and device geometry with the size and shell thickness of monodisperse polymer-based capsules produced in microcapillary devices. The microcapsules are obtained through in situ photopolymerization of the middle oil phase of water-in-oil-in-water double emulsions. Using polymers with selected glass transition temperatures as the shell material, we show through single capsule compression testing that hollow capsules can be prepared with tunable mechanical properties ranging from elastomeric to brittle. A quantitative statistical analysis of the load at rupture of brittle capsules is also provided to evaluate the variability of the microfluidic route and assist the design of capsules in applications involving mechanically triggered release. Finally, we demonstrate that the permeability and microstructure of the capsule shell can also be tailored through the addition of cross-linkers and silica nanoparticles in the middle phase of the double emulsion templates.