Synthesis and Characterization of D-α-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate-Block-Poly (ϵ-caprolactone) Copolymer Used as Carriers for Microparticles

Abstract

A novel copolymer, D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-block-Poly (ε-caprolactone) (TPGS-block-PCL), was synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR and FTIR. The molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography. TPGS-block-PCL can be used to prepare microparticles for drug delivery system by a modified solvent extraction/evaporation method without extra emulsifier. The risperidone-loaded microparticles were characterized by laser light scattering for particle size and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology. The drug encapsulation efficiency and the in vitro drug release profiles were measured. A significantly higher drug release rate was observed for microparticles with TPGS-block-PCL copolymer than PCL.

Keywords:

• Copolymer
• D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate
• microparticle
• poly (ϵ-caprolactone)

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the research fund for the young teachers by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and East China University of Science and Technology.