Issue 18, 2011

Double-emulsion drops with ultra-thin shells for capsule templates

Abstract

We introduce an emulsification technique that creates monodisperse double-emulsion drops with a core–shell geometry having an ultra-thin wall as a middle layer. We create a biphasic flow in a microfluidic capillary device by forming a sheath flow consisting of a thin layer of a fluid with high affinity to the capillary wall flowing along the inner wall of the capillary, surrounding the innermost fluid. This creates double-emulsion drops, using a single-step emulsification, having a very thin fluid shell. If the shell is solidified, its thickness can be small as a hundred nanometres or even less. Despite the small thickness of this shell, these structures are nevertheless very stable, giving them great potential for encapsulation. We demonstrate this by creating biodegradable microcapsules of poly(lactic acid) with a shell thickness of a few tens of nanometres, which are potentially useful for encapsulation and delivery of drugs, cosmetics, and nutrients.

Graphical abstract: Double-emulsion drops with ultra-thin shells for capsule templates

Associated articles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 May 2011
Accepted
14 Jul 2011
First published
02 Aug 2011

Lab Chip, 2011,11, 3162-3166

Double-emulsion drops with ultra-thin shells for capsule templates

S. Kim, J. W. Kim, J. Cho and D. A. Weitz, Lab Chip, 2011, 11, 3162 DOI: 10.1039/C1LC20434C

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