Microcapsules, their use and processes for their manufacture

1. A microcapsule comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax and a polymeric shell formed from:

i) 1 to 20% by weight of polymerisable silane compound, wherein the silane compound is defined by formula I

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of allyl, methallyl, acryloyloxyalkyl, methacryloyloxy bonded to an alkyl radical, acrylamidoalkyl and methacrylamidoalkyl, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from C 1-5 alkoxy groups,

ii) 1 to 94% by weight of hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer,

iii) 5 to 98% by weight of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and

iv) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer(s),

wherein components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) total 100%,

and in which the microcapsule also includes a hydrophilic polymer which is covalently bonded to the microcapsule, and

wherein the hydrophilic polymer is present in an amount between 5 to 50% by weight based on the weight of the polymeric shell.

2. A microcapsule according to claim 1 comprising

45 to 95% by weight hydrophobic oil or wax,

5 to 65% by weight shell.

3. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which the mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer is selected from styrene and C 1 to C 12 alkyl esters of acrylic acid and C 1 to C 12 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid.

4. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which the polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer is an alkane diol diacrylate.

5. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which the silane compound comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated moiety and at least one alkoxy group bonded to a silicon atom.

6. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which the hydrophilic polymer is a polymer which is reactive with the silane compound.

7. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which the hydrophilic polymer is a water-soluble hydroxy containing polymer.

8. A microcapsule according to claim 7 in which the hydrophilic polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol.

9. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which the hydrophobic liquid or wax is a hydrocarbon.

10. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which the hydrophobic liquid or wax that has a melting point at a temperature between −30° C. and 150° C.

11. A microcapsule according to claim 1 in which in which the core contains an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of UV absorbers, UV reflectors, flame retardants, active dye tracer materials, pigments, dyes, colorants, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, antioxidants, pour point depressants, wax deposition inhibitors, dispersants, biocides, enzymes, detergent builders, fragrances, phase change materials and silicone oils.

12. A process of manufacturing microcapsules according to claim 1 , comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax and a polymeric shell, comprising the steps,

1) providing a monomer blend comprising,

i) 1 to 20% by weight of polymerisable silane compound,

ii) 1 to 94 by weight of hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer,

iii) 5 to 98% by weight of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and

iv) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer(s),

wherein components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) total 100%,

2) combining the monomer mixture with the hydrophobic liquid or molten hydrophobic wax to form a monomer solution,

3) forming an aqueous phase comprising a hydrophobic polymer which is reactive with the silane compound,

4) homogenising the monomer solution into the aqueous phase containing to form an emulsion,

5) subjecting the emulsion to polymerisation conditions, and

6) polymerising the monomer to form a dispersion of microcapsules in the aqueous phase.

13. A process according to claim 12 which includes the features defined in claim 2 .

14. A process according to claim 12 in which the monomer is subjected to free radical polymerization.

15. A process according to claim 12 in which a thermal initiator is combined with the monomer and the emulsion is heated to a temperature of at least 50° C. for sufficient time to effect polymerization.

16. A process according to claim 12 in which the hydrophilic polymer is a stabilising polymer.

17. A process according to claim 12 in which the stabilising polymer is a water-soluble hydroxy containing polymer.

18. A process according to claim 17 in which the emulsion is maintained at a temperature of between 50 and 80° C. for a period of between 90 and 150 minutes and then subjected to a temperature of at least 80° C. for a period of at least 30 minutes.

19. An article comprising microcapsules each comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax and a polymeric shell formed from:

i) 1 to 20% by weight of polymerisable silane compound, wherein the silane compound is defined by formula I

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of allyl, methallyl, acryloyloxyalkyl, methacryloyloxy bonded to an alkyl radical, acrylamidoalkyl and methacrylamidoalkyl, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from C 1-5 alkoxy groups,

ii) 1 to 94% by weight of hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer,

iii) 5 to 98% by weight of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and

iv) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer(s),

wherein components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) total 100%,

and in which the microcapsule also includes a hydrophilic polymer which is covalently bonded to the microcapsule, and

wherein the hydrophilic polymer is present in an amount between 5 to 50% by weight based on the weight of the polymeric shell.

20. A coating composition comprising microcapsules each comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax and a polymeric shell formed from:

i) 1 to 20% by weight of polymerisable silane compound, wherein the silane compound is defined by formula I

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of allyl, methallyl, acryloyloxyalkyl, methacryloyloxy bonded to an alkyl radical, acrylamidoalkyl and methacrylamidoalkyl, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from C 1-5 alkoxy groups,

ii) 1 to 94% by weight of hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer,

iii) 5 to 98% by weight of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and

iv) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer(s),

wherein components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) total 100%,

and in which the microcapsule also includes a hydrophilic polymer which is covalently bonded to the microcapsule, and

wherein the hydrophilic polymer is present in an amount between 5 to 50% by weight based on the weight of the polymeric shell.

21. A process of coating a fabric comprising the steps of

A) providing a textile coating composition,

B) applying the coating composition to a surface of the fabric, and

C) drying the coating to provide a coated fabric,

in which the coating composition comprises a particulate composition which comprises microcapsules according to claim 1 , each comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax and a polymeric shell formed from:

i) 1 to 20% by weight of polymerisable silane compound,

ii) 1 to 94% by weight of hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer,

iii) 5 to 98% by weight of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and

iv) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer(s),

wherein components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) total 100%,

and in which the microcapsule also includes a hydrophilic polymer which is covalently bonded to the microcapsule.

22. Fibres comprising microcapsules according to claim 1 , each comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax and a polymeric shell formed from:

i) 1 to 20% by weight of polymerisable silane compound,

ii) 1 to 94% by weight of hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer,

iii) 5 to 98% by weight of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and

iv) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer(s),

wherein components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) total 100%,

and in which the microcapsule also includes a hydrophilic polymer which is covalently bonded to the microcapsule.