Biodegradable Poly-β-Amino-Ester Microcapsules for Oil Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcapsules fail to effectively encapsulate lipophilic or hydrophobic cargoes such as fragrances and essential oils while being biodegradable in aquatic environments and stable on storage, particularly in personal care and household products that may contain aggressive surfactants or pH extremes.
Innovation Solution
The development of biodegradable microcapsules with poly-ß-amino-ester polymer shells, formed through in-situ oil-in-water emulsion polymerization, which incorporate specific ß-amino-ester moieties in their backbone, branches, and crosslinks, ensuring stability and controlled release of cargoes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polymer shells (melamine formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, poly-urea/urethane, acrylate) are used for encapsulation, then storage stability and durability are improved, but biodegradability and environmental persistence are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer shell from conventional non-biodegradable polymers to poly-β-amino-ester polymers with specific molecular structures that enable biodegradability while maintaining storage stability through controlled polymerization conditions and molecular weight optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite microcapsule structure combining poly-β-amino-ester polymer shell with encapsulated core materials (fragrances, essential oils, active ingredients), where the shell provides both protection and biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between durability and environmental persistence
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable polymers (polyesters, poly-ß-amino-esters) are used for shell walls, then environmental biodegradability is improved, but storage stability in aqueous media and formulated products is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters including polymer molecular weight, degree of crosslinking, and shell thickness to achieve a balance where the poly-β-amino-ester shell maintains structural integrity during storage while remaining biodegradable in environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the polymer shell exhibits different stability characteristics under different conditions: stable in storage conditions (aqueous media, formulated products) but degradable in environmental conditions (soil, compost, aquatic environments), achieving context-dependent behavior
3Reliability
If highly crosslinked polymer networks are used for shell walls, then cargo retention and stability are improved, but biodegradability and controlled release capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different degrees of crosslinking at different locations within the polymer shell structure, with the outer surface having higher crosslinking for stability and cargo retention, while the inner regions maintain lower crosslinking to facilitate biodegradation and controlled release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses moderate or partial crosslinking rather than extensive crosslinking, achieving sufficient cargo retention and stability without completely preventing biodegradation, allowing the shell to maintain integrity during storage while remaining degradable in environmental conditions
4Manufacturing precision
If classical interfacial polymerization is used for encapsulation, then encapsulation efficiency is improved, but use of harmful solvents and high temperatures is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymerization conditions by conducting the reaction in aqueous media at mild temperatures, optimizing parameters such as pH, monomer concentration, and reaction time to achieve efficient encapsulation without requiring harmful solvents or high temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water as an intermediary medium for the polymerization reaction, replacing organic solvents, and employs pH control and surfactants as mediators to facilitate the interfacial polymerization process under environmentally friendly conditions while maintaining encapsulation efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The microcapsules achieve storage stability and biodegradability in aquatic environments, retaining fragrances and essential oils until triggered release, meeting the demands of personal and household products without using harmful solvents or high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
microcapsules comprising: (i) a polymeric microcapsule shell; and (ii) a lipophilic core
Implementation Method 2
the polymeric shell is biodegradable
Implementation Method 3
The release rate of the core material and the diffusion of the core material through the capsule wall can often be controlled
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides biodegradable microcapsules, based on specific poly ß-amino ester shells that can encapsulate and retain cargoes such as, lipophilic, or hydrophobic core materials comprising fragrances, butters, essential or other oils; or oil solubilized ingredients, process of making said biodegradable microcapsules and their applications in various industries. Present application further provides biodegradable shell materials that show evidence of biodegradation or non-persistence in aquatic based and/or soil or compost based environments, and which are stable on storage before use.