Characteristics of Nano-capsules Prepared Using Reverse Micellar System

The preparation of nano-capsules using an AOT reverse micellar system was performed by the in situ polymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene on the surface of the AOT reverse micelles. The effects of the preparation conditions on the capsule morphologies, encapsulation ratio of water and average diameter of the nano-capsules were investigated. The morphology of nano-capsules were very spherical, and average diameter of the nano-capsules, which was approximately 600 nm, was not affected by the preparation conditions such as surfactant concentration, sodium chloride concentration in the injection water, monomer ratio and pH of the injection water. The encapsulation ratio of water was affected by the surfactant concentration, the amount of the injection water and the sodium chloride concentration. On the other hand, the encapsulation ratio was not affected by the pH of the injection water. Based on this result, it is possible to prepare nano-capsules regardless of the injection water pH. Finally, it is proven that a high encapsulation ratio was obtained when a low surfactant concentration and low quantity of injection water.