Deposition Of Disinfectant Poly(Methyl Acrylate) Nanocapsules Onto Natural Rubber Film Via The Layer-By-Layer Technique

An aqueous core containing a disinfectant agent (chlorhexidine digluconate) was encapsulated in a poly(methyl acrylate) shell with a modified nanoprecipitation technique. After redispersion of the capsules in an aqueous medium, the remaining amount of the disinfectant agent was as high as 90%. The nanocapsules were successfully adsorbed via the layer-by-layer technique onto a gamma-radiation-vulcanized natural rubber latex sheet. Water contact angle measurements and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of nanocapsules on the rubber surface. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 769-777, 2009