Simple but Precise Engineering of Functional Nanocapsules through Nanoprecipitation

Abstract

A general, rapid, and undemanding method to generate at will functional oil-filled nanocapsules through nanoprecipitation is reported. On the basis of polymer and hexadecane/water/acetone phase diagrams, the composition can be set so that polymer chains preferentially stick at the interface of the oil droplets to create nanocapsules. The nanocapsules can be decorated with biorelevant molecules (biotin, fluorescent tags, metal nanoparticles) within the shell and loaded with hydrophobic molecules in a simple one-pot procedure.

Investigation of Single‐Drug‐Encapsulating Liposomes using the Nano‐Impact Method

“…We report the use of nano-impact experiments for the electrochemical attomolar quantification of the liposome load, uniquely at the single liposome level, using vitamin C encapsulated liposomes as a model. The size of the liposomes and their picomolar concentration are also determined in biological buffer in real time.Liposomes are very effective delivery vehicles with a bilayer structure capable of fusing with microbial membranes.[1] To date, the real-time quantification of drug content and particle characterization at the single liposome level is impossible, [2] whereas ensemble measurements average over wide populations.[2b] A recent electrochemical method detects and counts single nanoparticles, [3] where by virtue of Brownian motion individual nanoparticles randomly collide with the electrode held at a suitable potential to induce quantitative oxidation [3a] or reduction [3c] of the nanoparticle. Alternatively, mediated electron transfer can take place on the surface of impacted nanoparticles.…”

Investigation of Single‐Drug‐Encapsulating Liposomes using the Nano‐Impact Method

“…Liposomes are very effective delivery vehicles with a bilayer structure capable of fusing with microbial membranes. [1] To date, the real-time quantification of drug content and particle characterization at the single liposome level is impossible, [2] whereas ensemble measurements average over wide populations. [2b] A recent electrochemical method detects and counts single nanoparticles, [3] where by virtue of Brownian motion individual nanoparticles randomly collide with the electrode held at a suitable potential to induce quantitative oxidation [3a] or reduction [3c] of the nanoparticle.…”

Interfacial Nanoprecipitation toward Stable and Responsive Microbubbles and Their Use as a Resuscitative Fluid

“…[12][13][14] Here,w ed escribe air/liquid (a/l) interfacial nanoprecipitation of biocompatible polymers by solvent manipulation as an ew way to prepare stable functional MBs.W ehypothesized that if nanoprecipitation of apolymer could be selectively induced and confined at the a/l interface during the homogenization process,i tm ay irreversibly stabilize MBs by forming at hin polymer nanoaggregate shell around agas core.Asillustrated in Scheme 1, three steps can be conceived:1)awater-insoluble polymer is solubilized in DMSO/H 2 Oinmicellar form, and is also surface-active to stabilize the foam generated by homogenization;2 )the polymers are then temporarily enriched by self-assembly at the a/l interface of fresh MBs,w hich induces nanoprecipitation;3 )the addition of excess water (nonsolvent) permanently precipitates the polymeric shells in the form of solid nanoaggregates.I ft his process is successful, one can further control and expand the shell functionalities through chemical modification of the polymer precursors. [12][13][14] Here,w ed escribe air/liquid (a/l) interfacial nanoprecipitation of biocompatible polymers by solvent manipulation as an ew way to prepare stable functional MBs.W ehypothesized that if nanoprecipitation of apolymer could be selectively induced and confined at the a/l interface during the homogenization process,i tm ay irreversibly stabilize MBs by forming at hin polymer nanoaggregate shell around agas core.Asillustrated in Scheme 1, three steps can be conceived:1)awater-insoluble polymer is solubilized in DMSO/H 2 Oinmicellar form, and is also surface-active to stabilize the foam generated by homogenization;2 )the polymers are then temporarily enriched by self-assembly at the a/l interface of fresh MBs,w hich induces nanoprecipitation;3 )the addition of excess water (nonsolvent) permanently precipitates the polymeric shells in the form of solid nanoaggregates.I ft his process is successful, one can further control and expand the shell functionalities through chemical modification of the polymer precursors.…”

“…Nanoprecipitation is av ersatile technique to produce interesting nanostructures through manipulation of the bulk solvent. [12][13][14] Here,w ed escribe air/liquid (a/l) interfacial nanoprecipitation of biocompatible polymers by solvent manipulation as an ew way to prepare stable functional MBs.W ehypothesized that if nanoprecipitation of apolymer could be selectively induced and confined at the a/l interface during the homogenization process,i tm ay irreversibly stabilize MBs by forming at hin polymer nanoaggregate shell around agas core.Asillustrated in Scheme 1, three steps can be conceived:1)awater-insoluble polymer is solubilized in DMSO/H 2 Oinmicellar form, and is also surface-active to stabilize the foam generated by homogenization;2 )the polymers are then temporarily enriched by self-assembly at the a/l interface of fresh MBs,w hich induces nanoprecipitation;3 )the addition of excess water (nonsolvent) permanently precipitates the polymeric shells in the form of solid nanoaggregates.I ft his process is successful, one can further control and expand the shell functionalities through chemical modification of the polymer precursors. Scheme 1.…”