Dual-responsive microcapsules with tailorable shells from oppositely charged biopolymers for precise pesticide release

Controlling release from pH-responsive microcapsules.

We report a microfluidic approach to produce monodisperse pH-responsive microcapsules with precisely controlled release behavior. The solid microcapsule shells are composed of a biocompatible pH-responsive polymer and robustly encapsulate an active material; however, when exposed to a trigger pH, the shells degrade and ultimately release the microcapsule contents. We control the trigger pH by u...

Polyion Complex Vesicles with Solvated Phosphobetaine Shells Formed from Oppositely Charged Diblock Copolymers

Diblock copolymers consisting of a hydrophilic poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) block and either a cationic or anionic block were prepared from (3-(methacrylamido)propyl)trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) or sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS). Polymers were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization us...

Dual UV/Ultrasound Responsive Composite TiO2/Polyelectrolytes Microcapsules

pH-controlled drug loading and release from biodegradable microcapsules.

Microcapsules made of biopolymers are of both scientific and technological interest and have many potential applications in medicine, including their use as controlled drug delivery devices. The present study makes use of the electrostatic interaction between polycations and polyanions to form a multilayered microcapsule shell and also to control the loading and release of charged drug molecule...

Dual-responsive supramolecular colloidal microcapsules from cucurbit[8]uril molecular recognition in microfluidic droplets†

The macrocyclic host, cucurbit[8]uril, is used to facilitate cross-linking of colloidal particles and polymers in microdroplets resulting in thermoand photo-responsive supramolecular colloidal microcapsules. Methyl viologen-bearing colloidal particles were prepared using template polymerisation and combined with cucurbit[8]uril and an azobenzene-functionalised polymer within microfluidic drople...