Structural Control of Porous Microcapsules Prepared by in-situ Polymerization in W/O/W Emulsion System

Abstract

The porous microcapsules were prepared by a in-situ polymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene in the W/O/W (water in oil in water) emulsion system. A large number of spherical pores in the inside and on the surface of the microcapsules were formed. The structure and morphology of the microcapsules was strongly affected by the preparation conditions such as weight fraction of the inner aqueous phase, surfactant and diluent concentrations in the organic phase, and stirring speed in the dispersion of the inner aqueous phase. The diameter and the specific surface area of the microcapsules increased with an increase in the volume fraction of the inner aqueous phase. By increasing the surfactant concentration in the organic phase, the diameter of the microcapsules decreased and the surface area increased.