Hybrid lipid–silica microcapsules engineered by phase coacervation of Pickering emulsions to enhance lipid hydrolysis

We report on the fabrication of dry hybrid lipid-silica microcapsules for enhanced lipid hydrolysis using Pickering emulsion templates formed by interfacial nanoparticle-emulsifier electrostatic interaction. The microcapsules are produced by controlled precipitation of emulsion droplets by oppositely charged silica nanoparticles at room temperature. Microcapsule formation is driven by the interfacial structure of the initial Pickering emulsion, which is in turn controlled by the nanoparticle to lipid ratio. In the region of charge reversed, precipitated and aggregated droplets, droplet-nanoparticle networks have been identified by freeze-fracture SEM imaging. The microcapsules have diameters in the range 20-50 mum and contain approximately 65% oil distributed within an internal matrix structure composed of a labyrinth of interconnected pores approximately 20-100 nm. Pore distribution and diameters depend on the silica to nanoparticle ratio that in turn determines droplet coating and stability. The microcapsules facilitate enhanced lipid hydrolysis kinetics, i.e. their pseudo first-order rate constant for lipid hydrolysis is approximately 3 times greater than for equivalent submicron lipid droplets. This behaviour is attributed to the increased oil surface area within the microcapsule due to the specific porous structure that causes rapid release of submicron and micron size oil droplets. The simple route for fabrication of porous microcapsule morphologies may present new opportunities for applications in encapsulation, delivery, coatings, and catalysis.