Properties of poly(urea-formaldheyde) microcapsules containing an epoxy resin

Physical properties of urea-formaldehyde microcapsules containing an epoxy resin are presented and discussed. Microcapsules were prepared by in situ polymerization of monomers in an oil-in-water emulsion. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electronic microscopy were applied to investigate thermal and morphological microcapsule properties. Microencapsulation was detected by means of FTIR and Raman techniques. It was found that the amount of encapsulated epoxy resin as well as the extent of urea-formaldehyde polymerization depends on the reaction temperature and the stirring speed. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.