Preparation of polycaprolactone nanoparticles via supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of emulsions

Abstract

Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles were produced via supercritical fluid extraction of emulsions (SFEE) using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO). The efficiency of the scCO extraction was investigated and compared to that of solvent extraction at atmospheric pressure. The effects of process parameters including polymer concentration (0.6-10% w/w in acetone), surfactant concentration (0.07 and 0.14% w/w) and polymer-to-surfactant weight ratio (1:1-16:1 w/w) on the particle size and surface morphology were also investigated. Spherical PCL nanoparticles with mean particle sizes between 190 and 350 nm were obtained depending on the polymer concentration, which was the most important factor where increase in the particle size was directly related to total polymer content in the formulation. Nanoparticles produced were analysed using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that SFEE can be applied for the preparation of PCL nanoparticles without agglomeration and in a comparatively short duration of only 1 h.

Nanodrug Carrier Based on Poly(Ursolic Acid) with Self‐Anticancer Activity against Colorectal Cancer

“…A slightly different diameter (167.3 nm) and polydispersity index (0.114) were obtained for the PUA‐NPs@PTX with a zeta potential of −29.2 mV ( Figure a,b). The surface of the nanoparticles carried a negative charge, which may be due to the carbonyl group possessed by the PUA, as reported previously . Obviously, the size of the PUA‐NPs@PTX was slightly larger than the blank NPs.…”

“…The surface of the nanoparticles carried a negative charge, which may be due to the carbonyl group possessed by the PUA, as reported previously. [24] Obviously, the size of the PUA-NPs@PTX was slightly larger than the blank NPs. The size of PUA-NPs and PUA-NPs@PTX was further confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) imaging, as well as the spherical-like morphology of the nanoparticles (Figure 2c; Figure S4b, Supporting Information).…”

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“…Therefore, formulae F3, F6, F5, and F2 were Upon studying the effect of stabilizer (Cremophor EL) concentration (0%, 2%, and 4% w/w) on the particle size, it was observed that increasing the concentration of stabilizer resulted in decreasing the particle size significantly (p < 0.0001), as illustrated in Figure 1b. This might be reckoned to the presence of large number of surfactant molecules at the interfacial layer, which resulted in decreasing the surface tension and therefore promoting the formation of smaller droplets [49][50][51].…”

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“…They can cause controlled release of drugs over a long time in the body and also protect them from enzymatic degradation [3]. Recently, polymeric biocompatible and biodegradable NPs such as poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid, poly-lactic acid, and polycaprolactone (PCL) as synthetic polymers and natural polymers such as chitosan and hyaluronan have been considered as drug delivery systems (DDSs) [4]. Drug release modes such as delayed, triggered, and prolonged could be modified by these polymers [5][6][7].…”