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Encapsulation Strategy Matters: Pre- and Post-Loading of Macromolecules into Surface-Supported Microgels Formed via
Deniya Joseph1, Harrison Brown1, Emmanuelle A B Konzi1
1School of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Forensics, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom.
ACS Materials Au
|November 17, 2025
Summary
Pre-loading macromolecules into calcium carbonate vaterite crystals is an efficient method for creating surface-supported (ss)-microgels. This approach optimizes macromolecule encapsulation for potential therapeutic delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Calcium carbonate vaterite crystals are increasingly utilized as sacrificial templates for polymer microgel fabrication.
- Vaterite's properties, including its porous structure, biocompatibility, and sustainable synthesis, make it suitable for biomedical uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare pre-loading and post-loading strategies for macromolecule encapsulation within surface-supported (ss)-microgels templated by vaterite.
- To elucidate the adsorption mechanisms of dextran and its derivatives onto ss-vaterite.
- To assess the potential of these ss-microgels for controlled therapeutic delivery.
Main Methods:
- Surface-supported (ss)-microgels were fabricated by coating vaterite crystals with alternating layers of sodium alginate (ALG) and poly-l-lysine (PLL), followed by core dissolution.
- Macromolecules (dextran and charged derivatives) were loaded either during vaterite synthesis (pre-loading) or after microgel formation (post-loading).
- Adsorption isotherms were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models to understand encapsulation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Pre-loading achieved significantly higher encapsulation efficiencies (up to 9% w/w) compared to post-loading (below 1% w/w).
- Dextran adsorption followed the Langmuir model, while its derivatives followed the Freundlich model, suggesting intermolecular repulsion.
- The ss-microgels demonstrated stability in acidic conditions, and trypsin-mediated degradation of PLL enabled sustained dextran release.
Conclusions:
- The loading strategy critically influences macromolecule encapsulation efficiency in vaterite-templated ss-microgels.
- Understanding adsorption mechanisms is key for optimizing microgel design for specific applications.
- These ss-microgels show promise for controlled release applications, particularly in therapeutic delivery.
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