Stabilization of layer-by-layer engineered multilayered hollow microspheres

Polymer multilayered hollow microspheres prepared by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly attract more and more interest due to their unique application, especially as drug delivery system (DDS). Unfortunately, the multilayered hollow microspheres assembled via weak linkages could fuse and/or aggregate in high ionic strength media or strong acidic or basic media. This severely restricts the practical applications of the multilayered hollow microspheres as DDS in human physiological medium. In the present work, the progress in stabilization of the multilayered hollow microspheres is reviewed, with emphasis on the assembling process and their crosslinking mechanism.