Abstract:
This research aims to study the preparation of poly (methyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (P(MMA-co-EGDMA)) microcapsules encapsulated fragrance by suspension polymerization process. The monomer droplets were prepared by pickering emulsion method, and ZnO nanoparticles were used as particulate surfactant. The end result was microcapsules with two simultaneous functions, long-lasting and antibacterial property.
First, the P(MMA-co-EGDMA) particles were prepared. The use of 1 wtPercent of 20Percent ZnO dispersed in water could provide high colloidal stable of spherical polymer particles. However, ZnO nanoparticles spreaded over the particle surface caused rough surfaces. Second, regarding the first step, the optimum condition was used to prepare the spherical P(MMA-co-EGDMA) microcapsules encapsulated methyl anthranilate (MA) which was a fragrance prototype. The monomers:MA of 70:30, MMA:EGDMA of 50:50 and initiator of 8wt% were used and synthesized at the temperature of 60oC for 4 hours. The encapsulation efficiency of MA in microcapsule was approximately 100Percent. Third, the released control test showed that the encapsulated MA in microcapsule could be slow released at 86% in 63 days. In the final step, the antibacterial test using Agar Disk Diffusion method was discovered that the microcapsules exhibited good antibacterial property after 24 hours incubated at 37degree Celsiusfor both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with inhibition zone of 2.5 and 8 mm, respectively.
It can be concluded that the polymer microcapsules encapsulated MA with high encapsulation efficiency could be prepared by suspension polymerization with the use of ZnO nanoparticles as a particulate surfactant. The end result was the microcapsules that could control the fragrance release and also contained antibacterial property simultaneously.