Textured Microcapsules through Crystallization

This
work demonstrates the fabrication of surface-textured microcapsules
formed from emulsion droplets, which are stabilized by an interlocking
mesh of needle-like crystals. Crystals of the small-organic-compound
decane-1,10-bis­(cyclohexyl carbamate) are formed within the geometric
confinement of the droplets, through precipitation from a binary-solvent-dispersed
phase. This binary mixture consists of a volatile solvent and nonvolatile
carrier oil. Crystallization is facilitated upon supersaturation due
to evaporation of the volatile solvent. Microcapsule diameter can
be easily tuned using microfluidics. This approach also proves to
be scalable when using conventional mixers, yielding spikey microcapsules
with diameters in the range of 10–50 μm. It is highlighted
that the capsule shape can be molded and arrested by jamming using
recrystallization in geometric confinement. Moreover, it is shown
that these textured microcapsules show a promising enhanced deposition
onto a range of fabric fibers.