On-demand payload release from microcapsules has been triggered by various stimuli, such as pH, UV, temperature and redox reactions, etc. Ion responsive microcapsules are a less well developed stimuli but one with interesting and important potential applications in areas such as batteries, fuel cells, sensors and electrochromics. The few studies that have reported on ion responsive microcapsules have mostly relied on crown ether grafted polymers. Here, we demonstrate an alkali-metal-ion accelerated release from cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) (cPPA) microcapsules. Payload release rate assays indicated that in acidic solutions, the minimum required acid concentration for rapid payloads release (&gt;80% in 20 h) was 10mM. Induced by alkali-metal-ions, especially lithium ions, the acid concentration threshold was lowered to 0.1mM. Also interestingly, different counter ions were found to have distinct co-activation effect. This co-activation effect can be potentially utilized for responsive systems such as auto-accelerating microcapsules.

Alkali-metal-ion accelerated on-demand release from cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) microcapsules

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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