Surface modified microcapsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcapsules face issues such as low deposition onto solid surfaces, low olfactory intensity, and low stability, making them unsuitable for applications in consumer products like laundry, washing, and personal care.
Innovation Solution
Chemical modification of microcapsules by forming covalent bonds between a microcapsule wall with primary or secondary amine groups and deposition agents containing quaternary ammonium, oxoimidazolidinyl, catechol, or carboxylic moieties, using polyurea polymers to enhance deposition and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polyurea or polyurethane capsules are used, then the microcapsule structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the deposition onto solid surfaces is low and stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the polyurea/polyurethane encapsulating polymer with deposition agents (such as polyquaternium-44, polyvinylamine, or polyethyleneimine) to create a surface-modified microcapsule. This composite structure maintains the core encapsulation function while adding deposition-enhancing properties through the grafted polymer chains on the surface, thereby improving stability and deposition without fundamentally changing the microcapsule manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface chemical parameters of the microcapsules by grafting cationic polymers onto the encapsulating polymer surface. This modifies the surface charge density, hydrophilicity, and adhesion properties, enabling better deposition onto negatively charged surfaces like skin, hair, and fabric while maintaining the original microcapsule structure and manufacturing simplicity.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional microcapsules are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the deposition onto skin, hair, and furniture surfaces is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the deposition agent into the microcapsule formulation during the manufacturing process, specifically adding it to the outer aqueous phase before or during the polymerization step. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the deposition-enhancing polymer is already associated with the microcapsule surface when they are formed, eliminating the need for separate surface modification steps and maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving deposition amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The deposition agent acts as an intermediary substance that bridges the microcapsule surface and the target surfaces (skin, hair, furniture). These cationic polymers adsorb onto the microcapsule surface and simultaneously interact with negatively charged surfaces, facilitating enhanced deposition without requiring complex manufacturing changes.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional microcapsules are used, then the formulation is simple, but the olfactory intensity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The deposition agents used in the patent serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enhance deposition onto surfaces, improve formulation stability, and increase olfactory intensity. This multi-functionality allows the formulation to achieve better fragrance delivery performance without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same cationic polymer components address multiple performance requirements.
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 modified microcapsules exhibit high deposition and stability on surfaces like skin, hair, and fabric, enabling effective use in consumer products with improved olfactory intensity.
Implementation Method 1
forming a covalent bond between the primary or secondary amine group and the reactive group to graft the deposition agent to the encapsulating polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preparing a microcapsule composition include the steps of: (a) providing a microcapsule formed of an encapsulating polymer having a primary or secondary amine group. (b) providing a deposition agent having a reactive group, and (c) forming a covalent bond between the primary or secondary amine group and the reactive group to graft the deposition agent to the encapsulating polymer. Also disclosed are consumer products containing these microcapsules.