Abstract Herein, we report a facile approach to fabricate silica capsules with encapsulated wax (WSC). These capsules have been formed based on O/W Pickering emulsion stabilized by hexadecyltrimethoxysilane-modified silica nanoparticles. These partially hydrophobic silica nanoparticles present at the interface are further bound together by silica layer formed by the sol–gel reaction of polymeric silica precursor. Molecular dynamics simulations have also been done to investigate the surface-modified silica nanoparticles at polar–nonpolar solvent interface. Further, the effect of various synthesis parameters on capsules formation has been systematically investigated. Capsules formed in this process completely consist of inorganic silica and the approach has also been extended for the encapsulation of different waxes as phase change materials. This simple and facile method allows the microencapsulation of wax in silica capsules with high encapsulation efficiency. The developed capsules can be a promising candidate as an active micro-filler in dental cements.Graphical abstract Wax encapsulated complete silica capsules are prepared by the combination Pickering emulsion and sol–gel method. The developed capsules can be used as an active micro-filler for the dental cements.
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