Robust molecular micro-capsules for encapsulating and releasing hydrophilic contents

Abstract

The hydrophobic-amphiphilic self-assembly approach has been employed to prepare molecular micro-capsules simply by cooling down an emulsion, in a hot polar solvent medium, of a melted compound having two very well-distinguished units, both with highly non-polar and hydrophobic characteristics. The resulting micro-capsules are very stable and robust both in suspension and under dry conditions. Further, such micro-capsules can effectively encapsulate hydrophilic compounds which can later on be easily released upon the application of UV-light. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.