Smart colloidosomes with tunable permeability and a dissolution trigger

Self-assembly of colloidal particles in the liquid interface of double emulsion droplets can be used to fabricate ``colloidosome'' microcapsules, which have great potential as vehicles for the controlled delivery of drugs or other cargoes. Here we present a novel class of aqueous core colloidosomes that combine the benefit of low capsule permeability (good cargo retention) with the option of a stimulus-triggered fast release in a target environment. Complete or partial dissolution of the capsule walls in response to a mild pH change is achieved in each case through the use of responsive particles made from polymers with pH-switchable solubility. We demonstrate three methods of controlling the capsule permeability prior to release while maintaining the intended response to the release trigger.