Preparation and characterization of gelatin/SDS/NaCMC microcapsules with compact wall structure by complex coacervation

Stable, elastic and optical transparent microcapsules containing tetrachloroethylene as core material were prepared from gelatin, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) by complex coacervation method for electrophoretic display. Microcapsules were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. It is suggested that SDS plays an important role during the process of microencapsulation, i.e. the existence of SDS increases the interaction between gelatin and NaCMC and facilitates the progress of complex coacervation. Because of the compact structure of the capsule wall, the microcapsules represent high thermal stability and good barrier property, both of which prevent core materials from penetrating outside the capsules.