A novel method for the preparation of electrophoretic display microcapsules

• The electrophoretic display microcapsules were prepared by coaxial jet method aided by gas spray.
• The positions of inner tube, liquid and gas flow rate of the process were investigated.
• The size and shell thickness of the prepared microcapsules were controllable.
• The prepared microcapsules had high coating ratio and exhibit reversible response to DC field.

The narrow distributed electrophoretic display microcapsules containing electrophoretic ink were prepared using coaxial jet method aided by gas spray. Experimental results showed the size and shell thickness of the microcapsules could be controlled by adjusting flow rates of core and shell fluids as well as gas. The as-prepared white and red microcapsules, with average size of 100 and 200 μm respectively, had high coating ratio (above 90%) and exhibited reversible response to DC electric field. Compared with the approach of other microencapsulation methods, the new technique not only has a simple procedure but also provides a more effective way of size control. This novel method is expected to prepare microcapsules with potential application in the fields of electronic paper and other material science.