Formation of oil filled nanocapsules with silica shells modified by sequential adsorption of polyelectrolytes

The aim of our work was to develop a novel method of encapsulation of emulsion droplets by silica shells modified by polyelectrolyte multilayers. Dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl]ammonium chloride (DTSACl) was used as the silane for silica shell formation as well as emulsion stabilizer. The silica nanocapsules were subsequently modified by sequential adsorption of polyelectrolytes. Polyelectrolyte multilayers were formed using the saturation method from the various pairs of polyelectrolytes. The average size of nanocapsules with polyelectrolyte shell was 100–120 nm. To demonstrate the possibility of encapsulation of hydrophobic substance we enclosed oil-soluble dye Coumarine-6. The obtained capsules’ suspensions were stable for the period of several weeks.