Silica Microcapsule Shell Formation for High Organic Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silica microcapsules face issues with leakage of encapsulated components due to a thin and brittle shell, and existing methods struggle to achieve high encapsulation rates for organic compounds like fragrance materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sol-gel reaction of an emulsified liquid containing a cationic surfactant and organic compounds with sulfur-containing ions like sulfate, sulfite, or sulfonate ions to form a dense and strong silica shell, enhancing encapsulation stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a sol-gel method is used to form silica on the surface of emulsified liquid droplets, then silica microcapsules can be produced, but the shell becomes very thin and brittle causing leakage of encapsulated components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sulfur-containing ions (sulfate, sulfite, or sulfonate ions) into the sol-gel reaction system to modify the chemical environment. This parameter change promotes the formation of a denser and stronger silica shell structure, preventing shell collapse and component leakage while maintaining the sol-gel manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite shell structure by incorporating sulfur-containing species into the silica matrix during the sol-gel reaction. This composite approach results in a shell that combines the properties of silica with sulfur-containing compounds, achieving both strength and encapsulation integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If existing sol-gel methods are used, then silica microcapsules can be formed, but the encapsulation rate of organic compounds like fragrance materials is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the sol-gel reaction by adding sulfur-containing ions, which enhances the encapsulation efficiency. The sulfur-containing species interact with organic compounds during shell formation, improving their retention within the microcapsule core and achieving high encapsulation rates
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 achieves stable encapsulation of organic compounds at high rates, reducing leakage and improving the durability of silica microcapsules.
Implementation Method 1
a sol-gel reaction in the presence of one or more sulfur-containing ions selected from the group consisting of a sulfate ion, a sulfite ion, and a sulfonate ion to form the silica microcapsule
Implementation Method 2
an aqueous phase component containing a cationic surfactant and an oil phase component containing one or more organic compounds and a silica source
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a silica microcapsule having a shell containing silica as a constituent component and a core containing one or more organic compounds inside the shell. The method includes subjecting an emulsified liquid obtained by emulsifying an aqueous phase component containing a cationic surfactant and an oil phase component containing one or more organic compounds and a silica source to a sol-gel reaction in the presence of one or more sulfur-containing ions selected from the group consisting of a sulfate ion, a sulfite ion, and a sulfonate ion to form the silica microcapsule.