Relation between the particle size and release characteristics of aromatic melamine microcapsules in functional textile applications

The relation between the particle size and release characteristics of aromatic microcapsules with a melamine resin shell in functional textile applications have been investigated. Firstly, the microcapsules are characterized based on their Fourier transform infrared spectra, encapsulation efficiencies, particle size distributions, optical images, and scanning electron microscopy images. The impregnation performances of the microcapsules have been initially evaluated using image analysis. Subsequently, the impregnation efficiency and broken release characteristics are semi-quantitatively analyzed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The analysis results show that the highest impregnation efficiency and broken release intensity could be observed when the microcapsule size was similar to the fiber diameter (25–30 μm). Eventually, the sustained release of the microcapsules over a period of 2400 h was evaluated using the weighing calculation method, and the trends were studied using the Peppas model. It was found that the microcapsule release rate slowly and continuously decreased with time, and the release rates significantly increased with the decrease in microcapsule particle size. Thus, it could be concluded that the large microcapsules exhibited better leak tightness than the small microcapsules, whereas the small microcapsules exhibited faster sustained release rates.