Microcapsules having dual reagents separated by the capsule wall and methods for making same
AssigneeMicrotek Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsCarl M. Lentz, Kayla L.M. Ryan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Ruptureable, dual reagent mono-capsules are disclosed that have a pre-formed capsule having a core composition, which includes a first reagent, encapsulated within a polymer wall, and a shell connected to an exterior surface of the polymer wall by a surfactant. The shell is made from a second reagent that is chemically bonded to the surfactant by a chemical electrostatic interaction. Upon rupture of the polymer wall of the mono-capsule, the first reagent and the second reagent chemically react with one another to form a reaction product.
Claims24
A ruptureable capsule comprising:
- a pre-formed capsule having a core composition encapsulated within a polymer wall, the core composition comprising a first reagent;
- and
- a shell connected to an exterior surface of the polymer wall by a surfactant, the shell comprising a second reagent attracted to the surfactant by a chemical electrostatic interaction;
- wherein, upon rupture of the polymer wall, the first reagent and the second reagent chemically react with one another to form a reaction product.
A method for surface treating capsules, the method comprising:
- providing pre-formed capsules having a core composition encapsulated within a polymer wall;
- mixing an aqueous surfactant and the pre-formed capsules together, wherein the surfactant attaches to an exterior surface of the polymer wall to form a surfactant-capsule intermediate;
- adding a solution comprising a second reagent to the surfactant-capsule intermediate, the second reagent being available for chemical electrostatic interaction with the surfactant;
- mixing until the second reagent chemically bonds to the surfactant and forms an outer shell on the polymer wall of the capsules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.