Synthesis of fragrance/silica nanocapsules through a sol–gel process in miniemulsions and their application as aromatic finishing agents

Mesoporous silica nanocapsules containing a series of fragrances were successfully prepared through an interfacial sol–gel process of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in miniemulsions. The hydrophobic liquid droplets of TEOS and fragrance worked as soft templates for forming a capsule morphology. The fragrance/silica nanocapsules were used to aromatically finish polymer films through drying a mixed emulsion of the fragrance/silica nanocapsules and polymer latex particles. The fragrance/silica nanocapsules were homogeneously distributed in the composite films. The release of fragrances from the composite film displayed a sustained manner. The introduction of the fragrance/silica nanocapsules could influence the thermal and mechanical properties of the composite films.