Polymer Micro and Nanoparticles Containing B(III) Compounds as Emissive Soft Materials for Cargo Encapsulation and...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Polymer nanoparticles offer advantages for bioimaging, overcoming issues like dye toxicity and poor water solubility.
• Encapsulating hydrophobic molecules into polymer matrices enables stable aqueous dispersions with retained photophysical properties.
• Boron (B(III)) compounds are explored for their unique optical properties within nanoparticle systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize polymer nanoparticles (PMMA, PVP, SBS) encapsulating B(III) compounds.
• To investigate the photophysical properties of encapsulated B(III) compounds, particularly their response to temperature changes.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanoparticles for drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Reprecipitation method using tetrahydrofuran and water to create polymer nanoparticles (average size ~200 nm).
• Characterization of colloidal stability and photophysical behavior (emission wavelength, temperature dependence).
• Proof-of-concept drug delivery study using coumarin 6.

Main Results:

• Stable aqueous colloidal dispersions of B(III)-doped polymer nanoparticles were successfully prepared.
• The nanoparticles exhibited reversible, temperature-dependent fluorescence emission (green light, λ = 509 nm) between 25-80 °C.
• Encapsulation maintained the photophysical properties of the hydrophobic B(III) compounds in water.

Conclusions:

• Polymer nanoparticles provide a viable matrix for encapsulating hydrophobic B(III) compounds, creating stable, fluorescent aqueous dispersions.
• The reversible, temperature-sensitive fluorescence suggests potential for developing optical thermometers or sensors.
• These nanoparticles demonstrate promise as carriers for hydrophobic drug delivery systems.