Membrane formation mechanism of cross-linked polyurea microcapsules by phase separation method

This research was conducted to clarify the membrane formation mechanism of cross-linked polyurea microcapsules by phase separation method, especially the role of polymeric surfactant, such as poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (poly(E-MA)) at the interface of O/W emulsion. It was found that poly(E-MA) was necessary for the formation of cross-linked polyurea membrane. The addition of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) prohibited the membrane formation reaction at the interface, even in the case of poly(E-MA) concentration enough for polymeric microcapsule formation. From the results in this study, poly(E-MA) was found to be adsorbed on the O/W emulsion and provide the reaction site for the membrane formation of polymeric microcapsules.