Synthesis and characterization of poly(N-vinycaprolactam)-grafted gold nanoparticles by free radical polymerization for using as chemotherapeutic delivery system

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 266; p. 124535
• Main Authors: Morfin-Gutierrez, Adriana, Sánchez-Orozco, Jorge L., García-Cerda, Luis A., Puente-Urbina, Bertha, Meléndez-Ortiz, H. Iván
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.07.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Chloroauric acid; Doxorubicin; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Fourier transforms; Free radical polymerization; Free radicals; Gold; Gold nanoparticles; Grafting; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Photoelectrons; poly(N-vinylcaprolactam); Polymerization; Polymers; Sodium citrate; Spectrum analysis; Sustained release; Thermogravimetric analysis; Transmission electron microscopy; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction; poly(N-vinylcaprolactam); Drug delivery; Doxorubicin; Gold nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.124535

This work reports the grafting of a stimuli-responsive polymer onto the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). First, AuNPs were synthesized by reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) aqueous solution with sodium citrate. Then, AuNPs were functionalized with allyl thiol to obtain allyl-functionalized AuNPs (AuNPs-SH). A “grafting from” approach was used to graft poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) by free radical polymerization to obtain nanocomposites based on AuNPs (AuNPs-g-PNVCL). Nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Covalent interactions between AuNPs and PNVCL were investigated by XPS and FTIR studies while the structural and morphological characteristics were studied by TEM and XRD analysis respectively. PNVCL-modified AuNPs were able to load doxorubicin (DOX) because of the presence of polymer and the in vitro drug release profiles showed a sustained release of this drug during the first 24 h at 37 °C. [Display omitted] •Grafting of PNVCL onto AuNPs by free radical polymerization.•Modification of AuNPs by the “grafting from” approach.•Spherical AuNPs containing allyl moieties.•AuNPs-g-PNVCL nanocomposites were able to load and release doxorubicin.