Temperature-Responsive Microcapsules Manufactured by Promoting Controlled Cloaking with the Help of Micro/Nanoparticles

We demonstrate a simple and novel way of manufacturing temperature-responsive microcapsules by using wax-infused nanostructured surfaces. The infused wax in the nanostructured surface melts at higher temperatures, turning the surface slippery. When a liquid marble (LM), i.e., a droplet coated with hydrophobic particles/ is placed on the surface, the molten wax rises and cloaks the LM. Cooling down the LM below melting temperature solidifies wax, producing capsules. By varying particle size, the capsule shell thickness can be tuned over a wide range (5–100μm). Such capsules show stimuli-responsiveness, making them useful in chemical, drug, and pesticide delivery applications.