title: Cotton fabric functionalisation with menthol/PCL micro- and nano-capsules for comfort improvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cotton functionalisation with poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) micro- and nano-capsules containing menthol was carried out with the aim of introducing a long-lasting refreshing sensation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The preparation of the polymer micro- and nano-capsules was carried out by solvent displacement technique. A confined impinging jets mixer was used in order to ensure fast mixing and generate a homogeneous environment where PCL and menthol can self-assemble.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The micro- and nano-capsules and the functionalised fabrics were characterised by means of DSC, FT-IR spectroscopy and SEM imaging. Micro- and nano-capsules of different size, from about 200 to about 1200 nm, were obtained varying menthol to PCL ratio (from 0.76 to 8), overall concentration and flow rate (i.e. mixing conditions). The inclusion of menthol was confirmed by DSC analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A patch test was carried out by 10 volunteers. Micro-capsules were found to be effective in conferring the fabric a refreshing sensation without altering skin physiology.
authors.affiliation: a Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole CNR ISMAC , Biella , Italy and.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mossotti
authors.affiliation: b Department of Applied Science and Technology , Politecnico di Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.affiliation: a Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole CNR ISMAC , Biella , Italy and.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Innocenti
authors.affiliation: b Department of Applied Science and Technology , Politecnico di Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Tereza
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zelenková
authors.affiliation: b Department of Applied Science and Technology , Politecnico di Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dotti
authors.affiliation: b Department of Applied Science and Technology , Politecnico di Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Marchisio
authors.affiliation: b Department of Applied Science and Technology , Politecnico di Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonello A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Barresi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002214:Capsules; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D012882:Skin Tests; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D011091:Polyesters; D012997:Solvents; D008610:Menthol; C016240:polycaprolactone
keywords: Cotton; PCL; menthol; micro-capsules; nano-capsules; patch test