Strategies to control the particle size distribution of poly- ε-caprolactone nanoparticles for pharmaceutical applications

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2008-06, Vol.322 (2), p.505-515
• Main Authors: Lince, Federica, Marchisio, Daniele L., Barresi, Antonello A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Drug delivery; Drug Delivery Systems; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Mixing; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Particle Size; Particle size distribution; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Poly- ε-caprolactone; Polyesters - chemistry; Solvent displacement; Solvents; Surface physical chemistry; Surface Properties; Thermodynamics
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2008.03.033

In this work turbulent precipitation through solvent displacement for the production of poly- ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles is investigated; two different PCL molecular weights have been employed, using acetone and water as solvent and anti-solvent, respectively. The main important thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, such as solubility and interfacial tension of PCL in water–acetone mixtures, are determined and the effect of the process operating conditions on the final particle size distribution is also investigated. Particles produced under different conditions into a Confined Impinging Jets Reactor (CIJR) were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering, Zeta potential measurements and Scanning Electronic Microscopy. Results clearly show the strong effect of mixing on the particle size distribution and how mixing must be controlled in order to obtain a product with particular characteristics. Eventually the measured thermodynamic and kinetic parameters are used to interpret the obtained experimental data. PCL mean particle size ( d m ) versus the flow rate (FR) for M w = 14 , 000 , initial polymer concentrations c PCL 0 = 10 mg / ml and for water to acetone flow rate ratio W/A = 1 (□), W/A = 2 (○), W/A = 3 (▵), W/A = 4 (▿).