title: Formation of organic nanoparticles by electrospinning of volatile microemulsions.
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.
authors.affiliation: Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Michelle P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dvores
authors.forename: Gad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marom
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magdassi
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004655:Emulsions; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010226:Parabens / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D014835:Volatilization; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D010226:Parabens; D014867:Water; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C006068:propylparaben