Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
06:36
3D Printed Porous Cellulose Nanocomposite Hydrogel Scaffolds
Published on: April 24, 2019
9.7K
Structure and characterisation of hydroxyethylcellulose-silica nanoparticles
Edward D H Mansfield1, Yash Pandya1, Ellina A Mun1
1School of Pharmacy, University of Reading Whiteknights Reading Berkshire RG6 6AD UK v.khutoryanskiy@reading.ac.uk.
RSC Advances
|May 11, 2022
Summary
Polymer-coated silica nanoparticles were synthesized using hydroxyethylcellulose. Higher polymer concentrations led to larger nanoparticle aggregates, controllable via one-pot synthesis for potential drug delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Polymer functionalization of nanoparticles enhances colloidal stability and surface property manipulation.
- Thiolated silica nanoparticles offer versatile surface chemistry for further modification.
- Controlling nanoparticle assembly is crucial for advanced applications like drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize polymer-coated thiolated silica nanoparticles using hydroxyethylcellulose.
- To investigate the effect of polymer concentration on nanoparticle size, surface thiol content, and aggregate formation.
- To establish a correlation between nanoparticle characteristics and aggregate structure for controlled synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis via self-condensation of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of hydroxyethylcellulose.
- Characterization using dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), spectroscopy (Raman, FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Ellman's assay, and electron microscopy (TEM, cryo-TEM).
- Analysis of aggregate formation and size using DLS and SANS.
Main Results:
- Increasing hydroxyethylcellulose concentration increased nanoparticle size and decreased surface thiol density.
- Higher polymer concentrations (0.5-2% w/v) induced the formation of silica nanoparticle aggregates bridged by hydroxyethylcellulose.
- Discrepancies between DLS and SANS measurements revealed a correlation between aggregate size and particle number per aggregate.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully synthesized polymer-coated thiolated silica nanoparticles with tunable aggregate structures.
- Hydroxyethylcellulose concentration is a key parameter for controlling nanoparticle size and aggregate formation in a one-pot synthesis.
- The findings provide a foundation for designing controlled nanoparticle assemblies for potential applications, particularly in drug delivery systems.
