Preparation of fluorescent poly(methylmethacrylate) nano capsules via internal phase separation

Abstract

Fluorescent nanocapsules containing Eu3+ complex are prepared by the internal phase separation of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) within the droplets of oil/water nano-emulsion. The nanocapsules give bright red emission excited by UV irradiation and possess stable fluorescence properties. Their fluorescence intensity is primarily influenced by the emulsifier concentration. It is significant that the fluorescence of the nanocapsules is nearly pH-independent and can be kept for a long time in a wide pH range. In contrast, the fluorescence of Eu 3+ complex is easily quenched in acidic or alkalic medium. The mean nanocapsule size is tunable with the concentration and the mode of emulsifier addition. As soft templates, oil cores have potential applications for the incorporation of functional components or drugs.

Material encapsulation in poly(methyl methacrylate) shell: A review

“…Figure shows the effect of increasing of the amount of HD on phase change latent heat and encapsulation efficiency of nanocapsules . In the other study, the mixture of acetone and methyl ethyl ketone was also used as coemulsifier agent for nanoencapsulation of Eu +3 complex in PMMA shell by the internal phase separation …”

“…Coemulsifiers are compounds that can be used to optimize the stability of the respective miniemulsion. In the study of nanocapsules, the most common coemulsifier are reported including HD, acetone, alcohol with short chain, tetrahydrofuran, and methyl acetate . The presence of a coemulsifier represents a distinct difference between miniemulsion polymerization system and the traditional emulsion polymerization.…”

Effect of mixing mode and emulsifying agents on micro/nanoencapsulation of low viscosity self-healing agents in polymethyl methacrylate shell

“…In this study, four operating factors were considered at two levels (table 1). The factors and their levels have been chosen according to review of the literature [14,20,[22][23][24][25]. Encapsulation yield, mean capsule size, and healing agent content were considered as responses.…”