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Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Nanosponge Tunability in Size and Crosslinking Density
Published on: August 4, 2017
Biodegradable cationic nanogels with tunable size, swelling and pKa for drug delivery
D S Spencer1, A B Shodeinde1, D W Beckman2
1McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Abstract:
Cationic polymers have garnered significant interest for their utility in intracellular drug delivery and gene therapy. However, due to their associated toxicities, novel synthesis approaches must be explored to develop materials that are biocompatible. The novel library of nanoparticles synthesized in this study exhibit tunable hydrodynamic diameters, composition and pH-responsive properties as a function of synthesis parameters. In addition, differences in the responsiveness of these nanoparticles under different pH conditions affords greater control over intracellular drug release.

