title: Surface functionality as a means to impact polymer nanoparticle size and structure.
abstract: When polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are formed by nanoprecipitation, which is a nucleation-growth process, the control over size requires changing the polymer concentration or solvent composition. Here, we demonstrate that the NP size can be controlled independent of polymer variables by introducing a polyelectrolyte (PE) in the aqueous phase. PEs that exhibit hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) yield a reduction in NP size, whereas PEs that do not possess this characteristic promote the formation of larger NPs. The observed effect can be attributed to the formation of a diffusional barrier around the NP in the form of a dense shell. This principle of controlling NP size is not limited to polymers and can also be employed in the production of lipid NPs.
authors: Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Schneider
authors: Andrew P
authors: AP
authors: Jallouk
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Vasquez
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Thomann
authors: Aurélien
authors: A
authors: Forget
authors: Christopher J
authors: CJ
authors: Pino
authors: V Prasad
authors: VP
authors: Shastri
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D011091:Polyesters; D011137:Polystyrenes; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; C016240:polycaprolactone; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C006903:carbopol 940; C003321:polystyrene sulfonic acid