Colloidosomes as Pickering emulsion microcapsules are
expected
to serve various applications, including encapsulation of drugs and
loading of functional materials. Normally, when using colloidosomes
for drug encapsulation, the latex particles as shell materials need
to be mixed with drugs before the assembly process. However, this
procedure may cause aggregation of latex particles, thereby resulting
in disordered assembled shells or a low loading efficiency. Herein,
we propose a three-fluid nozzle spray drying process to efficiently
assemble latex particles of P(styrene (St)-co-butyl
acrylate (BA)) into colloidosomes. The three-fluid nozzle spray drying
equipment allows for the preparation for drug encapsulation without
advance mixing of drug and shell materials. This strategy enables
the construction of colloidosomes with uniform and controllable pores
and the loading of functional materials. The effects of the compressed
air flow rate, inlet temperature, feed rate, and solid content were
explored, revealing the formation mechanism of colloidosomes during
the spray drying process. Doxycycline hydrochloride (DH) was encapsulated
in colloidosomes for controllable release, and the sustained release
time is up to 100 h. The release rate can be adjusted by varying the
glass transition temperature (T
g) and
size of latex particles. Furthermore, Fe3O4 nanoparticle
(NP)-loaded colloidosomes were constructed by this strategy. The magnetic
response intensity of colloidosomes can be modulated by varying the
amount of Fe3O4 NPs. The anticancer drug encapsulation
and loading of other functional particles were also explored to expand
applications.