Encapsulation and Release of Functional Nanodroplets Entrapped in Nanofibers

Abstract

A method is presented for preserving the structural integrity of nanodroplets produced by emulsification. Droplets of different hydrophobic liquids such as essential oils or monomers are produced by the miniemulsion process. The miniemulsions are then electrospun to yield dextran nanofibers entrapping the hydrophobic nanodroplets. The nanodroplets are then successfully redispersed by dissolving the nanofibers in water. Furthermore, it is shown that nanofibers can be used to store a monomer and a catalyst as healing agents for ring-opening metathesis polymerization. After dissolution, the healing agents are released and a self-healing reaction takes place. Embedding, storage, and release of emulsion nanodroplets is a promising method that avoids potential destabilization of droplets by coalescence or Ostwald ripening.

An innovative synergy between solution electrospinning process technique and self‐healing of materials. A critical review

“…In this sub‐section, investigations conducted [ 22,36‐49 ] mainly targeted to SH of PCMs. In, [ 22 ] Kotrotsos and Kostopoulos incorporated two Nylon‐66 electrospun layers (pristine or modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs]) as SHAs into quasi isotropic CFRPs, locally, at critical areas in which damage is expected to be occurred after low velocity impact testing.…”

“…In the current sub‐section, investigations conducted, [ 46‐49 ] mainly targeted to fabrication of fibrous SHAs for future use in polymers or PCMs. Based on that, Mitchell and Keller, [ 46 ] successfully fabricated electrospun core‐shell fibers suitable for SH of composite materials by tuning SEP parameters (ie, interfacial tension and viscosity).…”

“…Thongchaivetcharat et al, [ 48 ] entrapped hydrophobic nanodroplets made by mini emulsion process into dextran nanofibers by coaxial SEP. This investigation demonstrated a preliminary study, as developed a method with an aim to preserve nanodroplets' structural integrity able to be re‐dispersed by dissolving into water.…”

“…This system was characterized as suitable for SH. Table 1 also provides all the information that are related to works [ 46‐49 ] conducted and reviewed above.…”

Nanofibers as precursors for the rapid formation of hydrogels

“…9 In the past, we have shown that colloids can be readily redispersed when they are embedded in electrospun nanofibers. Peppermint oil droplets, 10 silica nanocapsules or nanoparticles 11 and crosslinked polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles 12 were redispersed from hydrophilic nanofibers by dissolving the nanofibers in water. Besides, peppermint oil nanodroplets and polycaprolactone nanoparticles were directly electrospun in hydrogel precursors for preparing hybrid hydrogels.…”