Influence of emulsifiers on the characteristics of polyurethane structures used as drug carrier

• Published in: BMC chemistry 2013-04, Vol.7 (1), p.66-66, Article 66
• Main Authors: Heghes, Alina, Soica, Codruta M, Ardelean, Simona, Ambrus, Rita, Muntean, Danina, Galuscan, Atena, Dragos, Dan, Ionescu, Daniela, Borcan, Florin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Dispersions; Drug delivery systems; Emulsifiers; Emulsion polymerization; Materials and Polymers; Nanostructure; Polyurethane resins; Research Article; Stability
• ISSN: 1752-153X; 1752-153X; 2661-801X
• DOI: 10.1186/1752-153X-7-66

Background Emulsifiers have a significant role in the emulsion polymerization by reducing the interfacial tension thus increasing the stability of colloidal dispersions of polymer nanostructures. This study evaluates the impact of four emulsifiers on the characteristics of polyurethane hollow structures used as drug delivery system. Results Polyurethane (PU) structures with high stability and sizes ranging from nano- to micro-scale were obtained by interfacial polyaddition combined with spontaneous emulsification. The pH of PU aqueous solutions (0.1% w/w) was slightly acidic, which is acceptable for products intended to be used on human skin. Agglomerated structures with irregular shapes were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized structures have melting points between 245-265°C and reveal promising results in different evaluations (TEWL, mexametry) on murine skin. Conclusions In this study hollow PU structures of reduced noxiousness were synthesized, their size and stability being influenced by emulsifiers. Such structures could be used in the pharmaceutical field as future drug delivery systems.