Modified polyelectrolyte microcapsules as smart defense systems

A new type of protective microcontainer, capable of preventing oxidation of encapsulated compounds by low molecular weight oxidizing agents, was demonstrated. These microcontainers (microcapsules) are hollow spheres with the shell made of layer-by-layer assembled polyelectrolytes with an engineered outermost layer. The protecting ability of the developed polyelectrolyte capsules was monitored by oxidation of encapsulated bovine serum albumin by H2O2 dissolved in aqueous solution. Different catalysts for H2O2 decomposition (catalase, Fe3O4 nanoparticles) were deposited onto the polyelectrolyte shell to increase the protection efficiency. The highest protection activity was observed for poly(allylamine)/poly(styrene sulfonate) capsules containing nano-Fe3O4 in the polyelectrolyte shell.