Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Capsule Shell for Cosmetic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic capsules face issues with stability against rupture, skin irritation, and the need for a robust and widely applicable production method that can withstand thermal and mechanical stresses, while minimizing the use of surfactants and high molecular weight protective colloids.
Innovation Solution
A capsule with a core/shell structure where the core contains sparingly water-soluble or water-insoluble organic active ingredients and a shell composed of nanoparticles of metal oxide or semimetal oxide, joined by a further metal oxide or semimetal oxide formed through hydrolysis and polycondensation of a sol-gel precursor, with minimal low molecular weight surfactants and no high molecular weight protective colloids, resulting in a dense and stable encapsulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional encapsulation methods are used, then active ingredients can be protected, but the shell structure is prone to rupture and lacks stability
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is constructed as a composite material system comprising metal oxide nanoparticles (such as silica, titania, or zinc oxide) joined together by a sol-gel precursor matrix. This composite structure provides enhanced mechanical strength and stability while maintaining protective properties for the encapsulated active ingredient.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell forms a continuous thin film structure around the core containing the active ingredient. This thin film barrier effectively prevents rupture and provides stable protection, while the sol-gel precursor matrix ensures flexibility and adhesion of the nanoparticle assembly.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional encapsulation methods are used, then active ingredients can be enclosed, but skin-irritating constituents such as surfactants are released
Solution Approach 1:
The method extracts and eliminates harmful surfactant components from the encapsulation system. The shell structure is designed to enclose only the active ingredient without requiring surfactant-based stabilization, thereby preventing skin irritation while maintaining protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation system uses biocompatible, non-irritating materials that can be safely disposed of or degraded in the skin without causing harm. The shell materials are selected to be inert and non-sensitive, ensuring no skin irritation occurs during use.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional production methods are used, then capsules can be manufactured, but the process is not robust against thermal and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The production method utilizes controlled parameter changes, particularly pH adjustment, to trigger sol-gel precursor hydrolysis and polymerization. This chemical transformation creates a robust shell structure that is stable against thermal and mechanical stresses during both manufacturing and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sol-gel precursor is incorporated into the shell formulation in advance, preparing the system for subsequent hydrolysis and polymerization. This preliminary preparation ensures that the shell structure develops the necessary robustness before final product formation, enabling withstand of thermal and mechanical stresses.
4Stability of the object's composition
If encapsulation is used to protect active ingredients, then storage stability is improved, but the shell structure becomes porous and less dense
Solution Approach 1:
The shell employs a composite structure where metal oxide nanoparticles are distributed within a sol-gel precursor matrix. This composite architecture provides a dense, non-porous structure that maintains storage stability while preventing leakage of the active ingredient through the shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell forms a continuous, dense thin film that effectively seals the core. The sol-gel precursor matrix creates a homogeneous, non-porous structure that maintains both the protective function and the density required to prevent active ingredient escape during storage.
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 solution provides improved stability and reduced skin irritation, allowing for efficient encapsulation of active ingredients with enhanced thermal and mechanical stability, and a simple production method that can be widely applied, ensuring the active ingredients are effectively protected and released as needed.
Implementation Method 1
the further metal oxide or semimetal oxide joining the nanoparticles has been formed by hydrolysis and subsequent polycondensation of a water-insoluble or sparingly water-soluble sol-gel precursor
Implementation Method 2
the further metal oxide or semimetal oxide joining the nanoparticles has been formed by hydrolysis and subsequent polycondensation of a water-insoluble or sparingly water-soluble sol-gel precursor
Implementation Method 3
The encapsulation of active ingredients is undertaken for various reasons. For example, through encapsulation it is possible to increase the storage stability of those active ingredients which are sensitive to light, oxygen or moisture.
Implementation Method 4
In the case of encapsulation of organic UV filters for the area of sun protection of the human skin it is ensured through the encapsulation that the contact between human skin and the organic UV filter is reduced or even prevented.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a capsule with a core/shell structure, comprising a core which comprises at least one sparingly water-soluble or water-insoluble organic active ingredient, to a method for producing such capsules having a core/shell structure, to the use of the capsules having the core/shell structure and to preparations comprising the capsules having the core/shell structure.