Miniemulsion Polymerization as a Means to Encapsulate Organic and Inorganic Materials

Substituted Poly(Vinylphosphonate) Coatings of Magnetite Nanoparticles and Clusters

Magnetite nanoparticles and clusters of nanoparticles have been of Increasing scientific interest in the past decades. In order to prepare nanoparticles and clusters that are stable in suspension, different coatings have been used. Phosphates and phosphonates are a preferred anchoring group for the coating of magnetite nanomaterials. However, poly(vinylphosphonates) have rarely been used as a coating agent for any nanoparticles. Here, poly(methylvinylphosphonate) and other substituted polyvinylphosphonates are described as new coatings for magnetite nanoparticles and clusters. They show great stability in aqueous suspension. This is also the first time phosphonate-coated magnetite clusters have been synthesized in a one-pot polyol reaction. The coated magnetite nanoparticles and clusters have been characterized by TEM, EDX, FTIR, magnetization measurement, XRD as well as XPS. It has been shown that substituted vinylphosphonates can be easily synthesized in one-step procedures and as a polymeric coating can imbue important properties such as stability in suspension, tight binding to the particle surface, the ability to be further functionalized or to tightly adsorb metal ions. For the synthesis of magnetite clusters the cluster formation, polymerization and coating are done in a one-pot reaction and the resulting magnetite clusters show a higher amount of phosphonate coating than with a three-step procedure including a ligand exchange.

Encapsulation of gold nanoclusters: stabilization and more

Gold nanoparticles with only a few atoms, known as gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), have dimensions below 2 nm and feature singular properties such as size dependent luminescence. AuNCs are also highly photostable and have catalytic activity, low toxicity and good biocompatibility. With these properties, they are extremely promising candidates for application in bioimaging, sensing and catalysis. However, when stabilized only with small capping ligands, their use is hindered by lack of colloidal stability. Encapsulation of the AuNCs can contribute to provide a more robust protection and even to improve their properties. Here, we review the encapsulation of AuNCs in polymers, silica and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for applications in bioimaging, sensing and catalysis.

Glycerol-Based Dendrimer Nanocomposite Film as a Tunable pH-Sensor for Food Packaging

Large amounts of food are wasted during the food supply chain. This loss is in part due to consumer confusion over dates on food packages that can indicate a variety of quality indicators in the product (e.g., expiration date, "best by" date, "sell by" dates, etc.). To reduce this food loss, much research has been focused on the films that offer simple and easily manipulated indication systems to detect food spoilage. However, these materials are usually hydrophilic biopolymers that can detect the food spoilage in a wide pH range but do not provide highly sensitive real-time measurements. In this work, a glycerol-based nanocomposite core-shell latex film was synthesized to create a responsive packaging material that can provide real-time pH detection of food with high sensitivity. First, the pH-responsive dendrimer comonomer was synthesized from glycerol and diamine. Then, the nanoencapsulation polymerization process via miniemulsion was conducted to form a core-shell structure with tunable nanoshell thickness for a sensible pH-responsive release (<0.5 pH change). Next, the flexible film encapsulated a color-indicative dye that provided highly sensitive and visible color changes as both the pH dropped and the time elapsed in the food. This film also provided a barrier to water and heat and resisted deformation. Ultimately, this nanocomposite flexible film pending a pH sensor has the potential as an intelligent food packaging material for a universal, accurate, easy-to-use, and real-time food spoilage monitoring system to reduce food waste.

Multisegmented polymers via step-growth and RAFT miniemulsion polymerization

We report a method to efficiently prepare multisegmented polymers via a combination of step-growth (SG) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization.

Antitumoral Drug-Loaded Biocompatible Polymeric Nanoparticles Obtained by Non-Aqueous Emulsion Polymerization

Non-aqueous dispersions (NAD) with two types of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), such as hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydrophilic cross-linked poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PNVP), were synthesized in the present study starting from monomer-in-silicone oil (PDMS) polymerizable non-aqueous emulsions stabilized with the same tailor-made PDMS-based block copolymer. These NPs were loaded with CCisplatin, an antitumoral model drug, directly from the emulsion polymerization step, and it was observed that the presence of the drug leads only to a slight increase of the NPs size, from 120 to 150 nm. The drug release kinetics was evaluated at 37 °C in phosphate buffer at pH = 7.4 and it appeared that the drug release rate from the hydrophilic cross-linked PNVP-based NPs is higher than that from the hydrophobic PCL-based NPs. Moreover, haemolysis tests revealed the fact that these two types of NPs have a good compatibility with the blood. Furthermore, for both the free and drug-loaded NPs, the in vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis was studied on two types of cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line) and A-375 (skin cancer cell line). Both types of NPs had no cytotoxic effect but, at a concentration of 500 μg/mL, presented an apoptotic effect similar to that of the free drug.

Recent advances in colloidal nanocomposite designviaheterogeneous polymerization techniques

Recent advances in colloidal nanocomposite design by heterogeneous polymerization are reviewed, with a specific focus on encapsulation and particle-based stabilization for specific materials applications.

Soft Nanohydrogels Based on Laponite Nanodiscs: A Versatile Drug Delivery Platform for Theranostics and Drug Cocktails

A new nanohydrogel drug delivery platform based on Laponite nanodiscs, polyacrylate, and sodium phosphate salts is described. The hybrid nanohydrogel is tailored to obtain soft and flexible nanohydrogels with G' around 3 kPa, which has been proposed as the ideal stiffness for drug delivery applications. In vitro studies demonstrate that the new nanohydrogels are biocompatible, biodegradable, nonswellable, pH-responsive, and noncytotoxic and are able to deliver antineoplastic drugs into cancer cells. The IC₅₀ of nanohydrogels containing cisplatin, 4-fluorouracil, and cyclophosphamide is significantly lower than the IC₅₀ of the free drugs. In vivo experiments suggest that the new nanomaterials are biocompatible and do not accumulate in crucial organs. The simple formulation procedure enables encapsulation of virtually any water-soluble molecule, without the need for chemical modification of the guests. These nanohydrogels are a versatile platform that enables the simultaneous encapsulation of several cancer drugs, yielding an efficient drug cocktail delivery system, which for instance presents a positive synergistic effect against MCF-7 cells.

Basic concepts and recent advances in nanogels as carriers for medical applications

Nanogels in biomedical field are promising and innovative materials as dispersions of hydrogel nanoparticles based on crosslinked polymeric networks that have been called as next generation drug delivery systems due to their relatively high drug encapsulation capacity, uniformity, tunable size, ease of preparation, minimal toxicity, stability in the presence of serum, and stimuli responsiveness. Nanogels show a great potential in chemotherapy, diagnosis, organ targeting and delivery of bioactive substances. The main subjects reviewed in this article concentrates on: (i) Nanogel assimilation in the nanomedicine domain; (ii) Features and advantages of nanogels, the main characteristics, such as: swelling capacity, stimuli sensitivity, the great surface area, functionalization, bioconjugation and encapsulation of bioactive substances, which are taken into account in designing the structures according to the application; some data on the advantages and limitations of the preparation techniques; (iii) Recent progress in nanogels as a carrier of genetic material, protein and vaccine. The majority of the scientific literature presents the multivalency potential of bioconjugated nanogels in various conditions. Today's research focuses over the overcoming of the restrictions imposed by cost, some medical requirements and technological issues, for nanogels' commercial scale production and their integration as a new platform in biomedicine.

Miniemulsion copolymerization of (meth)acrylates in the presence of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for reinforced coating applications

Film forming, stable hybrid latexes made of methyl metacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymer reinforced with modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized by in situ miniemulsion polymerization. The MWCNTs were pretreated by an air sonication process and stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone. The presence of the MWCNTs had no significant effect on the polymerization kinetics, but strongly affected the polymer characteristics (T_g and insoluble polymer fraction). The performance of the in situ composites was compared with that of the neat polymer dispersion as well as with those of the polymer/MWCNT physical blends. The in situ composites showed the presence of an additional phase likely due to the strong interaction between the polymer and MWNCTs (including grafting) that reduced the mobility of the polymer chains. As a result, a substantial increase of both the storage and the loss moduli was achieved. At 60 °C, which is above the main transition region of the polymer, the in situ composites maintained the reinforcement, whereas the blends behaved as a liquid-like material. This suggests the formation of a 3D network, in good agreement with the high content of insoluble polymer in the in situ composites.

Nanocomposite latexes containing layered double hydroxides via RAFT-assisted encapsulating emulsion polymerization

Successful encapsulation of LDH nanoplatelets into latex particles.

Stable, polymer-directed and SPION-nucleated magnetic amphiphilic block copolymer nanoprecipitates with readily reversible assembly in magnetic fields

The formation of inorganic-organic magnetic nanocomposites using reactive chemistry often leads to a loss of super-paramagnetisim when conducted in the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles. We present here a low energy and chemically-mild process of co-nanoprecipitation using SPIONs and homopolymers or amphiphilic block copolymers, of varying architecture and hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, which efficiently generates near monodisperse SPION-containing polymer nanoparticles with complete retention of magnetism, and highly reversible aggregation and redispersion behaviour. When linear and branched block copolymers with inherent water-solubility are used, a SPION-directed nanoprecipitation mechanism appears to dominate the nanoparticle formation presenting new opportunities for tailoring and scaling highly functional systems for a range of applications.

Recent advances in the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles in miniemulsions

In this review, we summarize recent advances in the synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles in miniemulsions since 2009. These hybrid nanoparticles include organic-inorganic, polymeric, and natural macromolecule/synthetic polymer hybrid nanoparticles. They may be prepared through encapsulation of inorganic components or natural macromolecules by miniemulsion (co)polymerization, simultaneous polymerization of vinyl monomers and vinyl-containing inorganic precursors, precipitation of preformed polymers in the presence of inorganic constituents through solvent displacement techniques, and grafting polymerization onto, from or through natural macromolecules. Characterization, properties, and applications of hybrid nanoparticles are also discussed.

Hybrid nanoparticles by step-growth Sonogashira coupling in disperse systems

Organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles were prepared by a Sonogashira miniemulsion polymerization of dibromo aryl and diethynyl aryl monomers and modified titanium dioxide and cadmium selenide nanocrystals, respectively. The poly(arylene ethynylene) microstructure and polymerization rates, as reflected by monomer reactivity, decisively impact whether inorganic guest particles can be trapped to afford a uniform distribution within a newly formed polymer particle or phase separate. This issue was found to be more critical for the TiO2 rods studied here. To this end, the compatibility of the organic and inorganic portions could be improved substantially by the incorporation of functional groups that bind the inorganic surface to the polymer via an appropriate termonomer. This concept, in combination with rapid particle formation via a postpolymerization dispersion of a premade poly(arylene ethynylene)/TiO2 composite as an alternative technique, yielded composite particles with a high loading of the inorganic nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles from renewable polymers

The use of polymers from natural resources can bring many benefits for novel polymeric nanoparticle systems. Such polymers have a variety of beneficial properties such as biodegradability and biocompatibility, they are readily available on large scale and at low cost. As the amount of fossil fuels decrease, their application becomes more interesting even if characterization is in many cases more challenging due to structural complexity, either by broad distribution of their molecular weights (polysaccharides, polyesters, lignin) or by complex structure (proteins, lignin). This review summarizes different sources and methods for the preparation of biopolymer-based nanoparticle systems for various applications.

Switching light with light--advanced functional colloidal monolayers

Colloidal monolayers comprising of highly ordered two dimensional crystals are of high interest to generate surface patterns for a variety of different applications. Mostly, unfunctionalized polymer or silica colloids are assembled into monolayers. However, the incorporation of functional molecules into such colloids offers a convenient possibility of implementing additional properties to the two-dimensional crystal. Here, we present the formation of novel functional colloidal monolayers with photoswitchable fluorescence. The miniemulsion polymerization technique was used to incorporate an appropriate dye system of a perylene-based fluorophore and a bis-arylethene as a photochrome in polymeric colloids in defined ratios. Upon irradiation with UV or visible light the photochrome reversibly isomerizes from the ring-closed form, which is able to absorb light of the emission wavelength of the fluorescent dye and the ring-open form, which is not. The fluorescence emission of the dye can thus be reversibly switched on and off with light even when embedded in colloids. The colloids were self-assembled at the air-water interface to produce hexagonally ordered functional monolayers and more complex binary crystals. We investigate in detail the influence of the polymeric matrix on the switching properties of the fluorophore/photochrome system and find that the rate constants for the photoswitching, which all lie in the same range, are less influenced by the polymeric environment than expected. We demonstrate the reversible switching of the fluorescence emission in self-assembled colloidal monolayers. The arrangement of broadly distributed functional colloids into ordered monolayers with high addressability was obtained by the formation of binary colloidal monolayers.

Synthesis of nanostructured materials in inverse miniemulsions and their applications

Polymeric nanogels, inorganic nanoparticles, and organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles can be prepared via the inverse miniemulsion technique. Hydrophilic functional cargos, such as proteins, DNA, and macromolecular fluoresceins, may be conveniently encapsulated in these nanostructured materials. In this review, the progress of inverse miniemulsions since 2000 is summarized on the basis of the types of reactions carried out in inverse miniemulsions, including conventional free radical polymerization, controlled/living radical polymerization, polycondensation, polyaddition, anionic polymerization, catalytic oxidation reaction, sol-gel process, and precipitation reaction of inorganic precursors. In addition, the applications of the nanostructured materials synthesized in inverse miniemulsions are also reviewed.

Facile and green synthesis of core-shell structured magnetic chitosan submicrospheres and their surface functionalization

Submicrometer-sized magnetite colloid nanocrystal clusters (MCNCs) provide a new avenue for constructing uniformly sized and highly magnetic composite submicrospheres. Herein, a facile and eco-friendly method is described for the synthesis of Fe3O4@poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/chitosan (CS) core-shell submicrospheres using MCNCs bearing carboxyl groups as the magnetic cores. It is based on the self-assembly of positively charged CS chains on the surface of the oppositely charged MCNCs dispersed in the aqueous solution containing acrylic acid (AA) and a cross-linker N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA), followed by radical induced cross-linking copolymerization of AA and MBA along the CS chains. The resulting polymer shell comprises a medium shell of cross-linked PAA/CS polyelectrolyte complexes and an outer shell of protonated CS chains. It was found that the shell thickness could be tuned by varying either the concentration of radical initiator or the molar ratio of AA to aminoglucoside units of CS. To the surface of thus obtained Fe3O4@PAA/CS particles, Au nanoparticles, a variety of functional groups such as fluorescein, carboxyl, quaternary ammonium, and aliphatic bromide, and even functional polymer chains were successfully introduced. Therefore, such Fe3O4@PAA/CS submicrospheres may be used as versatile magnetic functional scaffolds in biorelated areas like bioseparation and medical assay, considering the unique features of CS like nontoxicity and biocompatibility.

Using the polymeric ouzo effect for the preparation of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles

The polymeric ouzo effect, a nanoprecipitation process, is used for the preparation of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles. Dextran, pullulan, and starch were esterified with hydrophobic carboxylic acid anhydrides to obtain hydrophobic polysaccharides, which are insoluble in water. The additional introduction of methacroyl residues offers the possibility to cross-link the generated nanostructures, which become insoluble in organic solvents. To make use of the ouzo effect for the formation of nanoparticles, the polymer has to be soluble in an organic solvent, which is miscible with water. Here, acetone and THF were used. Immediately after the organic polymer solution is added to water, nanoparticles are generated. The size of the nanoparticles can be adjusted between 50 and 200 nm by changing the concentration of the initial polysaccharide solution. The degree of hydrophobic substitution was shown to have a very minor effect on the particle size. Dispersions with solids contents of up to 2% were obtained. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the nanoparticles were investigated with force microscopy, and it was shown by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy that a fluorescent dye could be encapsulated in the nanoparticles by the applied nanoprecipitation procedure.