Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Soft Nanoparticles Obtained by Surfactant-Assisted Interfacial Polymerization

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Polyurethanes (PUs) are promising for drug delivery due to favorable properties.
• Conventional PU nanoparticle synthesis is complex, requiring challenging miniemulsion techniques.
• Isocyanate-containing monomers pose challenges in aqueous polymerization systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile, one-pot synthesis for soft polyurethane nanoparticles.
• To establish a non-isocyanate polymerization route for enhanced water compatibility.
• To create functionalized nanoparticles for drug encapsulation and delivery.

Main Methods:

• Interfacial polymerization of activated pentafluorophenyl dicarbonates with diamines/triamines.
• Utilized an anionic emulsifier and a trifunctional amine for stable dispersions.
• Incorporated functional groups, like carboxylic acids, into the nanoparticle structure.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) nanoparticles via interfacial polymerization.
• Achieved nanoparticle sizes in the 200-300 nm range.
• Demonstrated stable nanoparticle dispersions using 5 wt% emulsifier and trifunctional amine.
• Functionalized NIPU nanoparticles showed ionic encapsulation of doxorubicin.

Conclusions:

• A versatile, waterborne method for synthesizing functionalized NIPU soft nanoparticles was developed.
• This approach overcomes limitations of traditional PU synthesis for nanoparticle preparation.
• The developed NIPU nanoparticles show significant potential as drug delivery nanocarriers.