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Colloidal Characteristics of Poly(L-Lactic Acid)-b-Poly (ε-Caprolactone) Block Copolymer-Based Nanoparticles Obtained
Oana Cucoveica1,2, Carmen Stadoleanu2, Christelle Bertsch3,4
1"Cristofor Simionescu" Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania.
Polymers
|October 16, 2024
Summary
Biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymers were synthesized and formed stable nanoparticles. These polyester nanoparticles exhibit temperature stability, suggesting potential for drug delivery in biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) are widely used biodegradable and biocompatible polymers for biomedical applications.
- These polymers are synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters.
- L-lactide polymerization occurs through anionic, cationic, or coordination-insertion mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize well-defined PLLA-b-PCL block copolymers.
- To prepare and characterize polyester-based nanoparticles (NPs) from these copolymers.
- To evaluate the physicochemical properties and temperature stability of the NPs for potential drug delivery applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PLLA homopolymer via coordination-insertion polymerization.
- Synthesis of PCL blocks using a cationic-activated monomer mechanism.
- Characterization of copolymers using 1H NMR, SEC, and DSC.
- Preparation of NPs via emulsification/evaporation.
- NP characterization using DLS and TEM.
Main Results:
- Well-defined PLLA-b-PCL block copolymers with varying PCL block molar masses were successfully synthesized.
- Polyester-based nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes ranging from 140-150 nm were prepared.
- NPs exhibited monomodal distribution (PDI < 0.1) and spherical morphology.
- NPs demonstrated good temperature stability, with minimal size change from 25 °C to 37 °C.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized PLLA-b-PCL copolymers are suitable for nanoparticle formation.
- The resulting nanoparticles possess favorable characteristics for drug delivery systems.
- The observed temperature stability supports their potential use as nanocarriers in biomedical applications.
