Microencapsulation of hydrophobic liquids in closed all-silica colloidosomes

Langmuir. 2014 Apr 22;30(15):4253-61. doi: 10.1021/la500311y. Epub 2014 Apr 11.

Abstract

A facile approach for the microencapsulation of hydrophobic liquids in closed solid all-silica colloidosomes is reported. The method is based on the formation of oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by silica nanoparticles and subsequent gluing of the particles at the water/oil interface by a silica precursor polymer-hyperbranched polyethoxysiloxane. By this means different oils are successfully enclosed in hence formed all-silica colloidosomes with almost 100% efficiency. Via a systematical study it is demonstrated that this process is a delicate interplay between the emulsion stability, oil polarity, and sol-gel reaction kinetics. This approach allows fabricating microcapsules of hydrophobic liquid substances in a mechanically stable, chemically inert, and biocompatible matrix, silica, with high encapsulation capacity and a controlled release profile.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colloids / chemistry*
  • Emulsions
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Oils / chemistry*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Colloids
  • Emulsions
  • Oils
  • Silicon Dioxide