Microfluidic-Assisted Production of Size-Controlled Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles-Loaded Poly(methyl...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are crucial for biomedical applications.
• Controlling the encapsulation of SPIONs within polymer matrices like poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is essential for their functionality.
• Microfluidic techniques offer precise control over nanoparticle synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize SPIONs encapsulated in PMMA nanoparticles (PMMA NPs) with controlled sizes.
• To compare two distinct microfluidic methods for producing these hybrid nanoparticles.
• To characterize the physicochemical properties and in vitro cytotoxicity of the resulting nanohybrids.

Main Methods:

• Hybrid polymeric nanoparticles were produced using nanoprecipitation and nanoemulsification-evaporation techniques.
• These methods were implemented in microdevices: an impact jet micromixer and an elongational-flow microemulsifier.
• Characterization involved dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and cytotoxicity assays.

Main Results:

• The micromixer-assisted nanoprecipitation yielded NPs with heterogeneous SPION dispersion, near 100% encapsulation efficiency, and irregular shapes.
• The microfluidic-assisted nanoemulsification-evaporation produced NPs with homogeneous SPION dispersion, high encapsulation efficiency, and spherical morphology.
• Both methods successfully encapsulated SPIONs within PMMA NPs, but with distinct structural and morphological outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic techniques enable tailored synthesis of SPIONs-loaded PMMA NPs with different properties.
• The choice of microfluidic method significantly impacts nanoparticle morphology, SPION dispersion, and encapsulation.
• Further investigation into the in vitro cytotoxicity of these tailored nanohybrids is warranted.