Ionic Polymerization-Based Synthesis of Bioinspired Adhesive Hydrogel Microparticles with Tunable Morphologies from...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Shape-anisotropic hydrogel microparticles are valuable for drug delivery, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Nonspherical microcarriers offer enhanced adhesion and circulation compared to spherical ones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for producing calcium (Ca)-alginate microparticles with tunable shapes.
• To investigate the adhesion properties of these anisotropic microparticles for gastrointestinal drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Janus droplets composed of sodium alginate and nongelable segments were generated using a coflow droplet generator.
• Ionic polymerization was used to solidify the Janus droplets into hydrogel beads of various shapes.
• In vitro and in vivo adhesion tests were performed on mouse colons.
• Computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD-DEM) coupling simulations were employed to analyze particle behavior.

Main Results:

• Monodispersed Janus droplets with controllable interfacial curvatures, sizes, and production frequencies were successfully generated.
• Anisotropic Ca-alginate hydrogel beads exhibited significantly enhanced adhesion properties compared to spherical counterparts.
• CFD-DEM simulations provided theoretical insights into particle migration and contact forces.

Conclusions:

• A simple and effective strategy for synthesizing Ca-alginate particles with tunable structures was established.
• These anisotropic hydrogel microparticles show great potential as ideal materials for advanced gastrointestinal drug delivery systems.