Optimization of polymerization process conditions during development of micro- and nanocapsules of hydrophobic agents based on Pickering emulsions

Abstract

The polymerization process is one of the most important processes to obtain stable emulsions. This is especially important when the emulsion evaporates. In the work, the protocol of optimum polymerization conditions was developed, which comprises carrying out the polymerization at a temperature of 80°C using potassium persulfate as an initiator at a concentration 0.4 mM. It was found that the formed monodisperse particles with an average size of 200 nm have a distinct morphology capsules, which according cryo-SEM pictures have spherical shape, similar to the morphology of raspberry. These results are also consistent with the data of TEM images, whereby submicrocapsules were densely coated by silica particles. It was proved by zeta-potential measurements according to which, after polymerization the disperse systems become more colloidally stable and less prone to aggregation and sedimentation.