Multilayered silicone oil droplets of narrow size distribution: Preparation and improved deposition on hair

Silicone oil droplets have limited deposition on hair due to electrostatic repulsion with negative surface charge of hair substrates. Aiming to improve silicone deposition on hair substrates, surface properties of uniform-sized silicone oil droplets (produced by membrane emulsification) were modified using layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition. By using this method, silicone oil droplets were coated with large molecular weight polymers, i.e. quaternized chitosan and alginate, and low molecular weight compounds, i.e. diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and glycerol to obtain six alternate layers of different surface charges. It was found that the dispersion of coated silicone oil droplets of narrow size distribution exhibited much improved mechanical strength and increased viscosity against shear compared to uncoated droplets. These multilayered silicone oil droplets were then added into model shampoos and conditioners to study the effect of charge and molecular weight of coating materials on silicone oil deposition on hair. The results clearly demonstrated that surface charge and charge density have significant influence on silicone oil deposition. Droplets with higher positive charge density resulted in increased deposition of silicone on hair due to electrostatic attraction. Characterization of the hair surface potential, wetting properties and friction certified the results further, showing reduced friction, decreased wetting angle and positive surface potential of high density positively charged silicone oil droplets. Therefore, LBL surface modification combined with membrane emulsification is a promising method for preparing multilayered silicone oil droplets of increased mechanical strength, viscosity and deposition on hair.

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► Multilayered silicone oil droplets with uniform size were successfully prepared.
► ME combined with LBL deposition is promising to prepare uniform-sized droplets.
► Multilayered droplets have improved mechanical strength than uncoated ones.
► Surface modified droplets significantly improved silicone deposition on hair.
► Enhanced silicone deposition considerably improved hair surface properties.