Pore size distributions of biodegradable polymer microparticles in aqueous environments measured by NMR cryoporometry.
NMR cryoporometry is a unique method permitting the investigation of pores in the microporous and mesoporous regimes for samples in aqueous environments. Here, we apply the technique to porous biodegradable polymer microparticles designed as devices for drug delivery in depot formulations. The results indicate that structural features too small to be captured in surface and fracture images obtained by SEM are able to be accessed using the technique, and that the evolution of pore structure can be studied for several days as the particles swell and degrade in the aqueous environment.
Petrov
Oleg
O
Division of Physical Chemistry and Industrial NMR Centre, Institute of Chemistry, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 30, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden.
Furó
István
I
Schuleit
Michael
M
Domanig
Rainer
R
Plunkett
Mark
M
Daicic
John
J
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D004337:Drug Carriers; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid