Dvores MP, Marom G, Magdassi S. Formation of organic nanoparticles by electrospinning of volatile microemulsions.
LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2012;
28:6978-6984. [PMID:
22452574 DOI:
10.1021/la204741f]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a method for one-step formation of poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers incorporating nanoparticles of a poorly water-soluble compound. Using the new method reported here, nanofiber-nanoparticle composites are fabricated in one step by electrospinning of an oil-in-water microemulsion, in which a model material, propylparaben, has been dissolved within the volatile dispersed phase in the presence of a high-molecular-weight polymer. The approach is based on nanoscale confinement to the dispersed phase of an oil-in-water microemulsion with a volatile oil phase, in which the poorly water-soluble materials are dissolved. Thus, when the thermodynamically stable oil-in-water microemulsion is combined with the rapid evaporation of solvent inherent in the electrospinning process, the droplets are converted into organic nanoparticles embedded within a polymeric nanofiber. In addition to possessing process simplicity, this method exhibits a very high percentage of nanoparticle loading with desirable active material properties. Specifically, the diameter of the nanofibers is in the range of 60-185 nm, and propylparaben exists within the nanofiber as nanocrystals of 30-120 nm. These dimensions suggest that the nanofiber-nanocrystal composites could serve as a delivery system for water-insoluble materials.
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