This handbook is the first to provide a concise overview of the chemical and engineering aspects of polymer microencapsulation for novel organic coatings. It reviews the art of microencapsulation, providing a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the fundamental and applied research into microcapsules containing functional coatings. Bringing together information that had been spread across various journals, it covers all the important methods for carrying out microencapsulations, including in situ polymerization, phase separation, emulsification, grinding, and spray drying.

From the Preface: “Over the past few decades, coating technology has been transformed into an extensive field of materials research. Today's industry demands additional requirements and functionalities from coatings, in addition to their basic protective and decorative values. Recent advances in polymer science and inorganic chemistry — especially at the nanoscale level — have further enhanced this growth. In this context, microencapsulation, a commercially successful technology which is used mainly in the paper and pharmaceutical industries, provides an additional input to the growing needs of functional coatings...”

Target Audience: Any reader involved in polymer microencapsulation or state-of-the-art functional coating research and formulation.

Table of Contents:

Functional Coatings and Microencapsulation: A General Perspective

Encapsulation Through (Mini)Emulsion Polymerization

Microcapsules Through Layer-by-Layer Assembly Technique

Polymer Encapsulation of Inorganic Particles

Microencapsulation of Liquid Active Agents

Core—Shell Systems Based on Intrinsically Conductive Polymers and their Coating Applications

Smart Textiles Using Microencapsulation Technology

Encapsulations Through the Sol-Gel Technique and their Applications in Functional Coatings

Electrolytic Co-Decomposition of Polymer-Encapsulated (Microencapsulated) Particles

Index