Submicronparticles from biodegradable polymers

The objective was to prepare small particles in the nm range with poly(D,L-lactide) and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) applying the spontaneous emulsification process. Polymer parameters as well as process parameters were investigated. The results show that spontaneous emulsification is a simple method to produce small particles in the 200-1000 nm range. A major drawback is the limitation to very restricted conditions, e.g. molecular weight up to 30.000 g/mole, glycolide content in the copolymer up to 30 mole% and concentration of the polymer solution lower than or equal to 1% (w/v).