Production and Characterization of Anisotropic Particles from Biodegradable Materials

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 28; no. 8; pp. 3756 - 3765
• Main Authors: Romanski, Francis S, Winkler, Jennifer S, Riccobene, Ryan C, Tomassone, M. Silvina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 28.02.2012
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Chemistry; Diglycerides - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Lactic Acid - chemistry; Polyesters - chemistry; Polyglycolic Acid - chemistry; Self assembly; Segregation; Lipids; Chlorine compounds; Characterization; Particle; Optical microscopy; Energy; Glycolic acid; Formulation; Electrophoresis; Electrokinetic potential; Polycaprolactone; Release; Drug; Scanning electron microscopy; Polymer; Ice; Evaporation; X ray diffraction; Binary mixture; Chemistry; Morphology; Phase separation; Dichloromethane; Lactic acid; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la2044834

In recent years, production and characterization of anisotropic particles has become of interest in a wide range of scientific fields including polymer chemistry, drug delivery, electronics, energy, and nanotechnology. In this work, we demonstrate a novel formulation for production of anisotropic particles via an internal phase separation of biodegradable components. Specifically, binary mixtures of biodegradable polymers poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polycaprolactone, and biodegradable lipid Precirol (glyceryl palmitostearate) were dissolved in dichloromethane, emulsified, and prepared into anisotropic particles using a modified solvent evaporation technique. During the slow evaporation process the components self-assembled into anisotropic particles with distinct morphologies. Polymer/polymer formulations resulted in compartmentalized anisotropic heterodimer particles, while polymer/lipid combinations yielded “ice cream cone” shaped particles. It was found that addition of certain active pharmaceuticals resulted in an altered, pox-like segregation at the particle surface of polymer/polymer formulations. The anisotropic nature of the particles was subsequently characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, zeta potential, electrophoresis, and X-ray diffraction. Successful formulations presented here may potentially be employed as multicompartmental drug carriers with staggered drug release rates or alternatively as a colloidal excipient for an arsenal of pharmaceutical applications.