Colloidosomes as micron-sized polymerisation vessels to create supracolloidal interpenetrating polymer network reinforced capsules

Abstract

Supracolloidal interpenetrating polymer network reinforced capsules are prepared by using micron-sized colloidosomes of poly(methyl methacrylate--divinylbenzene) microgels as reaction vessels. An interpenetrating polymer network as scaffold is generated radical polymerisation of the interior phase to produce hollow supracolloidal structures with a raspberry core-shell morphology. Their flexibility is tailored by variation of the monomer feed composition.