title: Emerging methods for the fabrication of polymer capsules.
abstract: Hollow polymer capsules are attracting increasing research interest due to their potential application as drug delivery vectors, sensors, biomimetic nano- or multi-compartment reactors and catalysts. Thus, significant effort has been directed toward tuning their size, composition, morphology, and functionality to further their application. In this review, we provide an overview of emerging techniques for the fabrication of polymer capsules, encompassing: self-assembly, layer-by-layer assembly, single-step polymer adsorption, bio-inspired assembly, surface polymerization, and ultrasound assembly. These techniques can be applied to prepare polymer capsules with diverse functionality and physicochemical properties, which may fulfill specific requirements in various areas. In addition, we critically evaluate the challenges associated with the application of polymer capsules in drug delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Jiwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Martin P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: van Koeverden
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müllner
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kempe
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. Electronic address: fcaruso@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000639:trends; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008956:Models, Chemical; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000639:trends; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Assembly; Drug delivery; Layer-by-layer; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Polymer architecture