abstract
- The synthesis of poly(urethane–urea) shells (PUU) using poly(ethylene glycols) of different molecular weights and methylene-bis(4-cyclohexyliso- cyanate) was performed for the microencapsulation of limonene, using a step growth polymerization process. The obtained microcapsules were structurally characterized by dynamic light scattering, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the core–shell microcapsules had spherical shape, a mean diameter in between 10 and 20 μm, and characteristic urethane-urea bonds. Furthermore, the molecular weight of polyol influences the entrapment efficiency, which ranged from 38 to 55%. The release data were analyzed by applying the Korsmeyer–Peppas model.