Synthesis of polymeric nanocapsules by radical UV-activated interface-emulsion polymerization

  • Marco Bazzano
  • , Roberto Pisano
  • , Jack Brelstaff
  • , Maria Grazia Spillantini
  • , Marta Sidoryk-Wegrzynowicz
  • , Giancarlo Rizza
  • , Marco Sangermano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A new methodology is reported that allows a better control of the synthesis of polymeric core–shell nanocapsules. These nanocapsules were made of biocompatible polymers, obtained from poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, and were used as carrier for curcumin as therapeutic agent. The impact of manufacturing factors (time of sonication, time of UV irradiation, and type of monomer) was investigated in relation to the average size of nanocapsules, their distribution, shape, composition, stability, and their capability to deliver curcumin. We successfully synthesized core–shell nanocapsules in various sizes, ranging from 80 nm to 300 nm, by acting either on the process conditions or on the composition of the monomer mixture. This wide range of sizes makes the method here proposed very promising for the production of nanocarriers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3357-3369
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry
Volume54
Issue number20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Oct 2016

Keywords

  • core–shell nanocapsule
  • curcumin
  • drug-delivery systems
  • interface-emulsion polymerization
  • mini-emulsion

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