Hydrophilic-core microcapsules and their formation
First Claim
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1. A method of forming hydrophilic-core microcapsules comprising:
- forming a single hydrophilic phase including at least one pre-polymer or monomer, a cross-linking agent, at least one active substance, an optional co-solvent, and water;
forming a single hydrophobic phase including a hydrophobic substance and optionally at least one surfactant in the absence of any pre-polymer or monomer and in the absence of any cross-linking agent;
mixing the hydrophobic phase with the hydrophilic phase to create and disperse droplets of the hydrophilic phase within the hydrophobic phase to form an emulsion; and
initiating a reaction at an interface of the hydrophilic phase and the hydrophobic phase to form a solid shell encapsulating the hydrophilic phase forming hydrophilic-core microcapsules, wherein said solid shell includes a shell wall comprising a compound having one or more chemical bonds that are broken down when contacted with an alkali produced during a corrosion reaction causing the release of the hydrophilic phase, wherein said alkali has a pH above about 8.
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Abstract
Hydrophilic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophilic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates water with the core substance dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophilic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophilic-phase droplets dispersed in a hydrophobic phase, with shell-forming compound contained in the hydrophilic phase or the hydrophobic phase and the core substance contained in the hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of forming hydrophilic-core microcapsules comprising:
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forming a single hydrophilic phase including at least one pre-polymer or monomer, a cross-linking agent, at least one active substance, an optional co-solvent, and water; forming a single hydrophobic phase including a hydrophobic substance and optionally at least one surfactant in the absence of any pre-polymer or monomer and in the absence of any cross-linking agent; mixing the hydrophobic phase with the hydrophilic phase to create and disperse droplets of the hydrophilic phase within the hydrophobic phase to form an emulsion; and initiating a reaction at an interface of the hydrophilic phase and the hydrophobic phase to form a solid shell encapsulating the hydrophilic phase forming hydrophilic-core microcapsules, wherein said solid shell includes a shell wall comprising a compound having one or more chemical bonds that are broken down when contacted with an alkali produced during a corrosion reaction causing the release of the hydrophilic phase, wherein said alkali has a pH above about 8. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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13. A method of forming hydrophilic-core microcapsules comprising:
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forming a hydrophilic phase including at least one active substance, a catalyst and water in the absence of any pre-polymer or monomer and in the absence of any cross-linking agent, wherein said catalyst is added until a pH of about 2 to about 4 is achieved; forming a first hydrophobic phase including at least one surfactant and a first hydrophobic substance in the absence of any pre-polymer or monomer and in the absence of any cross-linking agent; mixing the first hydrophobic phase with the hydrophilic phase to form an emulsion comprising droplets of the hydrophilic-phase dispersed in the first hydrophobic phase; forming a second hydrophobic phase including a cross-linking agent comprising one or more ester groups, a pre-polymer or monomer, and a second hydrophobic substance; mixing the second hydrophobic phase to said emulsion; and initiating a reaction at an interface of the hydrophobic phase and droplets to form a single solid shell encapsulating the hydrophilic phase forming hydrophilic-core microcapsules, wherein said single solid shell includes a shell wall comprising a compound having one or more chemical bonds that are broken down when contacted with an alkali produced during a corrosion reaction causing the release of at least the first hydrophilic phase, wherein said alkali has a pH above about 8. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24)
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Specification