Enhanced performance of novel hydroxyethyl cellulose grafted amide-based microcapsules by catalyzed interfacial polymerization: Synthesis, characterization, and theoretical studies

Abstract

Due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and affordable manufacture from renewable resources, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and its derivatives have gained growing interest in a variety of sectors. In light of this, HEC and HEC-branched-amide (HECA) were used to develop new polyurethane and polycarbamoyle amide-based microcapsules. The structure of the HECA prepolymer and the elaborated microcapsules were examined using FT-IR, NMR, DRX, DLS, SEM, TGA, and Zeta Potential. The Polycarbamoyle amide microcapsules were prepared by catalyzed interfacial polymerization between the diisocyanate and the amide group of HECA. The enhanced kinetics of carbamoyle amide membrane formation using copper catalyzed polymerization is shown to have an advantage in maintaining the characteristics of the microcapsules. The stability and resistance of the microcapsules under temperature and pH conditions were also investigated. Due to strong bidentate interactions between the carbamoyle amide groups in the membrane, the microcapsules based on these groups display great stability in front of the microcapsules made of polyurethane. Theoretical studies have demonstrated these interactions, while the FT-IR results have supported these findings. The obtained results prove a positive enhancement in limonene encapsulation efficiency as the amount of carbamoyle amide groups within the membrane of the microcapsules is increased, reaching a maximum value of 96.84%. The shape has developed into a perfectly spherical, hard shape with a typical microcapsule diameter of 9 μm.