Investigation of the influence of temperature on polyelectrolyte microcapsules

Abstract

The heat sensitivity of hollow polyelectrolyte microcapsules consisting of an even or odd number of alternating layers of poly(allylamine) and poly(styrenesulfonate) is investigated by light scattering and confocal microscopy. The polyelectrolyte microcapsules are prepared using CaCO 3 microspherulites as "core" dispersed particles. It is demonstrated that the size of capsules with an even or odd number of layers decreases with an increase in the temperature and time of heat treatment. The heat sensitivity of the polyelectrolyte microcapsules is estimated from the activation energy required for changing the parameters of their initial structure under heating. It is shown that the heat sensitivity of the polyelectrolyte microcapsules with an odd number of layers is higher than the heat sensitivity of the polyelectrolyte microcapsules with an even number of layers. A possible mechanism responsible for the change in the structural parameters of the microcapsules upon heat treatment is proposed.