Mineral Microcapsule Stabilization via Dense Wall Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcapsules made from inorganic materials like silica are prone to breaking during drying due to tension issues, and those made from natural polymers lack stability as active ingredients are eluted due to microporosity, leading to environmental concerns and reduced biodegradability.
Innovation Solution
A method of preparing microcapsules by mixing a continuous phase with an emulsifier and a dispersed phase containing a silica, titanium oxide, or zirconium oxide precursor, which forms a dense outer wall upon curing, preventing active ingredient elution and avoiding environmental issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If silica is used as encapsulation material, then environmental safety is improved, but capsule strength deteriorates due to breaking during drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines silica particles with a polymer matrix to create a composite encapsulation material. The polymer provides mechanical strength and flexibility to prevent breaking during drying, while the silica particles maintain environmental safety and biodegradability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between environmental safety and capsule strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the encapsulation material by controlling the size, shape, and surface properties of silica particles, and adjusting the polymer matrix composition. These parameter changes optimize both the mechanical strength for withstanding drying tension and the environmental safety characteristics.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If natural polymer is used for encapsulation, then biodegradability is improved, but stability deteriorates due to microporosity causing active ingredient elution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a heterogeneous structure where hydrophobic regions and hydrophilic regions coexist within the polymer matrix. The hydrophobic regions provide stability to prevent active ingredient elution, while the hydrophilic regions maintain biodegradability. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and biodegradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controlled porosity in the polymer matrix, creating a hierarchical pore structure where macro-pores are minimized to prevent elution, while micro-pores are maintained to allow degradation. This selective porosity management resolves the contradiction between capsule stability and biodegradability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If crosslinking is used to increase stability, then capsule stability is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reversible or cleavable crosslinks that can break down under specific conditions (such as pH change or enzymatic action). These crosslinks provide temporary stability during storage and application, but are designed to degrade completely, ensuring biodegradability. This approach resolves the contradiction between stability and biodegradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic crosslinking parameters where the degree and type of crosslinking can be adjusted based on environmental conditions. The crosslinking density is optimized to provide sufficient stability while maintaining pathways for degradation, resolving the contradiction between capsule stability and biodegradability.
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 method stabilizes active ingredients within microcapsules with a dense structure, preventing elution and environmental pollution, while maintaining biodegradability and compatibility with nature.
Implementation Method 1
preparing an emulsion by mixing a continuous phase containing an emulsifier and a dispersed phase containing an encapsulation component and an active ingredient
Implementation Method 2
the emulsifier comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
encapsulating the emulsion, wherein the encapsulation component comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a silica precursor, a titanium oxide precursor, and a zirconium oxide precursor
Implementation Method 4
Encapsulation is a general term for the form of collecting an active ingredient in a material corresponding to an outer wall for effective delivery of the active ingredient
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the stabilization of an effective ingredient by using a mineral material. In the present invention, the effective ingredient can be stably supported using the mineral material, and a microcapsule obtained by the manufacturing method according to the present invention, when discharged to nature, causes no environmental problems due to encapsulation ingredients thereof being the same as soil ingredients, and thus can avoid micro-plastic issues.