Formation of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanoparticles via Nanoprecipitation

Abstract

Size control of therapeutic carriers in drug delivery systems has become important due to its relevance to biodistribution in the human body and therapeutic efficacy. To understand the dependence of particle size on the formation condition during nanoprecipitation method, we prepared nanoparticles from biodegradable, amphiphilic block copolymers and investigated the particle size and structure of the resultant nanoparticles according to various process parameters. We synthesized monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) block copolymer, MPEG-PCL, with different MPEG/PCL ratios via ring opening polymerization initiated from the hydroxyl end group of MPEG. Using various formulations with systematic change of the block ratio of MPEG and PCL, solvent choice, and concentration of organic phase, MPEG-PCL nanoparticles were prepared through nanoprecipitation technique. The results indicated that (i) the nanoparticles have a dual structure with an MPEG shell and a PCL core, originating from self-assembly of MPEG-PCL copolymer in aqueous condition, and (ii) the size of nanoparticles is dependent upon two sequential processes: diffusion between the organic and aqueous phases and solidification of the polymer.

Effects of non‐solvent and starch solution on formation of starch nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation

“…The calculated solubility parameters (Δ δ S‐NS ), using Eq. , are also presented in Table . where δ d is the dispersion force component, δ p is the polar component, and δ h is the hydrogen bonding component of the total solubility parameter.…”

“…Since the Δ δ S‐NS values in this study do not give a relationship with the mean sizes of the SNPs, a further analysis was made by determining the solvent and non‐solvent interaction parameters (χ S‐NS ) using Eq. . where V S is the molar volume of the solvent, R is the gas constant, T is temperature, and δ S and δ NS are the total solubility parameters of solvent and non‐solvent, respectively.…”

Self-Assembled Hydrophobic Honokiol Loaded MPEG-PCL Diblock Copolymer Micelles

“…So, it is very interesting to develop an advanced method to prepare drug loaded polymer nanoparticles (41). Previously, PEG/PCL nanoparticle/micelle has been prepared to deliver drugs by above mentioned methods (31,36,(42)(43)(44). In this paper, we prepared honokiol loaded MPEG-PCL micelles by direct dissolution method that did not need any organic solvents, surfactants, and vigorous stirring.…”

Preparation and characterisation of lignin nanoparticles: evaluation of their potential as antioxidants and UV protectants

“…On the other hand, if the propagation of organic phase containing lignin polymer continues further to more extent at the time of solidification, then the organic phase tends to disperse randomly leading to broad-range size distribution. [25] The spherical shape of DLNP and ALNP was retained even after storage at room temperature for 30 days. However, the size of DLNP and ALNP increased marginally to 116 § 64 (FESEM)/86 § 29 nm (TEM) and 114 § 52 nm (FESEM)/87 § 28 nm (TEM), respectively, as shown in Figures 1(b) and 1(d) and 2(b) and 2(d).…”