Seminário

Power of light: Photo-triggered microcapsules

Sala 8.2.23, FCUL, Lisboa

Bartosz Tylkowski, PhD

Microcapsules are small particles which contain an active agent or core material surrounded by a coating or shell. The utility of microcapsules for efficient cargo storage and targeted release is of considerable importance in fragrance release, personal care and H&F care products.  One of the most challenging tasks and the ultimate purpose of developing delivery systems are to modulate the release of encapsulated cargo substances. Strategies such as heat treatment, pH change, magnetic fields and light-induced morphology change have been used to alter the shell density and integrity, and then to influence capsule permeability. As one of the most interesting parts of stimuli-responsive capsules, photo-stimuli responsive capsules are capable of affecting their micro-/nano-structures in the form of remote control triggered by external light e.g., sun light, without requirement of direct contact or interactions. Moreover, triggering the release of microcapsules by light has a number of advantages over other external stimuli: light does not contaminate the reaction systems; the excitation wavelength can be controlled through the design of the photo-responsive molecule, it is easy to control the time and/or local excitation. The development of such highly light sensitive vesicles is of great importance, especially in the fields of surface sciences and environmental applications, where sometimes light would be the only available stimulus to drive the systems. Our aim was first to synthesize and characterize visible light sensitive monomer and then fabricate photo-triggered microcapsules containing a perfume oil as a core material. These microcapsules were obtained by oil-in-water interfacial polymerization reaction. During the seminar. I will present preliminary results of microcapsules preparation, characterization and controlled perfume release, by means of different techniques (OM, SEM, Light scattering, GCMS).


Dr. Tylkowski is a Polish scientist, who obtained a MSc. Diploma in chemistry from Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland in 2004, and a PhD Diploma in chemical science, technology and processes from Universita degli studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy, in 2008. He has a consolidated experience in various aspects of polymeric microcapsules/membranes preparation/characterization as well as bio-inorganic and organic synthesis developed during ca. 13 years of work in the area. Four times he has been a winner of Marie Curie post-doctorate fellowships (OPEN TOK project under 6th FP in Tarragona, Spain (2008-2009); IAPP project under 7th FP in Sofia, Bulgaria (2009-2010); IOF project under 7th FP in Tarragona, Spain/Cincinnati, USA (2013-2016); TecnioSpring COFUND project under 7th FP in Tarragona, Spain (2016-2018)). Twice he has been employed as a post-doctorate researcher under the Procter & Gamble projects where 100% of his work time has been focused on developing new materials for consumer goods. He has participated in 10 competitive (1 time as a PI) and 6 non-competitive research projects (4 times as a PI). He is a co-editor of 5 books; co-author of: 11 book chapters, 20 articles published in indexed journals, 24 articles published in open access journals with external assessment; co-inventors of 4 patents families which were filled as 23 patent applications. His research work was presented 50 times as oral or poster presentations during international or national congresses, and he gave over 30 invited seminars in public and private organizations. Dr. Tylkowski is a co-editor of: special issue of “Coordination chemistry reviews” (IF13.324); “Physical Sciences Reviews”, “Energy today” and he has served as a reviewer in several journals (i.e. Journal of Membrane Science, Langmuir, Chemical Engineering Journal, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research). 

11h00
CQB - Centro de Química e Bioquímica