Copolymer with long chain alkyl group as stabilizer in the preparation of biodegradable polyester particle

Abstract

Poly(eicosyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is synthesized by free radical polymerization of eicosyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate by using 2,2′azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator in N,N-dimethylformamide at 80°C. Copolymers of different molecular weights are synthesized and well characterized by different analytical techniques and used as a stabilizer in the preparation of polycaprolactone and polylactic acid particles by solvent evaporation method. The formation of the polymer particles and its morphology with respect to the stabilizer molecular weights, concentration, and reaction time are studied. Well dispersed poly(caprolactone) and poly(lactic acid) particles are formed, which demonstrated the efficiency of the copolymeric stabilizer. Polymer particle sizes and its stability depend on the molecular weights and concentration of the stabilizer. The surface morphology and particle sizes of the prepared particles are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope.