Interfacial thiol–isocyanate reactions for functional nanocarriers: a facile route towards tunable morphologies and hydrophilic payload encapsulation

Abstract

Functional nanocarriers were synthesized using an in situ inverse miniemulsion polymerization employing thiol-isocyanate reactions at the droplet interface to encapsulate hydrophilic payloads. The morphology of the nanocarriers is conveniently tunable by varying the reaction conditions and the dispersions are easily transferable to the aqueous phase.

Encapsulating Hydrophilic Solution by PU‐PMF Double‐Component Capsule Based on Water‐In‐Oil‐In‐Oil Emulsion Template

“…Therefore, two possible chemistries will not be considered as the main reason for the capsule formation, which otherwise undermine the significance of this study: (1) the capsules were formed due to reaction between isocyanate and pre‐MF without the help of MOCA; and (2) the capsules formed from the PMF itself in the reverse emulsion . It is challenging to identify whether these aforementioned cross reactions exist by the spectrum, such as the NMR or IR, due to the similarity of the reactants . However, the use of this screening methodology, combined with the FTIR data and the multilayer shell structure (as shown in Figure C,I), clarifies the roles of PPI‐MOCA and PMF reactions in capsule formation.…”

“…The encapsulation of aqueous cargo is a widely acknowledged challenge despite its tremendous industrial value for numerous applications, ranging from self‐healing and drug delivery to cosmetics and pesticides . In stark contrast to this formidable obstacle, however, is the successful encapsulation of hydrophobic cargo that is based upon an oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion .…”

Morphology-dependent pH-responsive release of hydrophilic payloads using biodegradable nanocarriers

“…[39][40][41] Recently, we reported on a versatile approach that allowed for the efficient encapsulation of hydrophilic payloads via an in situ inverse miniemulsion polymerization employing thiol-isocyanate reactions at the droplet interface. 42 Nanocarriers with thiourethane functionality were successfully formulated at room temperature using a base catalyst and by employing different stoichiometric ratios of 1,4-butanedithiol (BDT) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) as bifunctional monomers. Additionally, pentaerythritol tetra-3-mercaptopropionate (PETMP), a multifunctional crosslinker monomer, was used to impart potential post-surface graing possibilities to the nanocarriers.…”

Recyclable cross-linked hydroxythioether particles with tunable structures via robust and efficient thiol-epoxy dispersion polymerizations

“…12,33,34 Very recently, thiol-isocyanate reactions have also been implemented to prepare particles and capsules by our group as well as by Ethirajan and co-workers. [35][36][37][38] The main advantage of using thiol-Michael and thiol-isocyanate reactions over the radical hydrothiolation is the possibility to introduce functionalities that are not compatible with a radical environment, as well as a lower energy input because no UV-irradiation is required.…”