Comparative analysis of hollow and filled polyelectrolyte microcapsules templated on melamine formaldehyde and carbonate cores

A comparative study of polyelectrolyte, microcapsules templated on melamine formaldehyde (MF) and manganese carbonate (MnCO3) particles was performed using confocal Raman microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and by force measurements with an atomic force microscope. There is no significant difference between the properties of the shells templated on the MF and completely decomposable carbonate particles. In the case of capsules filled with polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), the MF oligomers formed a network complex with the polymer which resulted in a gel-like structure in the interior. The existence of such a structure was proved by characteristic MF and PSS bands in Raman spectra, the bulky morphology of the dried capsules and much stiffer resistance to applied force as compared with PSS-filled capsules templated on carbonate particles.