Inkjet‐Based Technology for Microencapsulation of Gold Nanoparticles within Biocompatible Hydrogels

• Published in: Particle & particle systems characterization Vol. 37; no. 4
• Main Authors: Artiga, Álvaro, Ramos‐Sánchez, Francisco, Serrano‐Sevilla, Inés, De Matteis, Laura, Mitchell, Scott G., Sánchez‐Somolinos, Carlos, la Fuente, Jesús M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2020
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Chitosan; encapsulation; Gold; gold nanoparticles; Hydrogels; inkjet printing; Microencapsulation; Nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0934-0866; 1521-4117
• DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.202000026

Herein, an inkjet‐based technology as a versatile high throughput methodology for the microencapsulation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) inside a biocompatible chitosan hydrogel is described. This continuous automated inkjet production approach generates 30 µm diameter polymeric microcapsules and offers a high rate of production and nanoparticle encapsulation efficiency of 14 nm diameter AuNPs, precise control of the microcapsule size, and ease of scale‐up. The hybrid microcapsules demonstrate biocompatible cell‐adhesion properties and resist degradation over a large range of pH, making them particularly relevant for a variety of potential health applications. Inkjet technology is optimized as a novel method for gold nanoparticle microencapsulation in chitosan hydrogels providing a continuous, high encapsulation efficiency, and automated production that can be employed to coencapsulate other molecules. These microcapsules present cell compatibility and provide a high resistance against the nanoparticle release, offering promising properties for future long‐term biomedical applications.