Improved preparation and physical studies of polybutylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules

An improved method for the preparation of alkylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules is proposed that involves the intermediate synthesis of a well defined adduct of a single monomer unit to an ethanol molecule. It leads to thinner capsule walls and, generally, to a more reproducible capsule structure. The chemical composition of the intermediate organic phase has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The morphology and size of resulting structures is analysed, applying analytical ultracentrifugation and light microscopic particle tracking. The sizes of capsules prepared in the described manner depend on the concentrations of the oil and the monomer components, as is shown by the results of a set of experiments following a simple factorial design.