One-pot synthesis of PDMAEMA nanocapsules for controlled release of hydrophobic cargo

ABSTRACT

In this work, poly((N,N-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) homopolymers are synthesized using RAFT technique, which is then used as stabilizers to prepare miniemulsion droplets in a toluene/hexadecane(HD)/1,2-Bis-(2-iodoethyl)ethane(BIEE)/hydrophobic molecule/water mixture. Upon the reaction between BIEE and the stabilizers of miniemulsion droplets, the polymeric nanocapsules are formed and capable of encapsulating hydrophobic molecule in their oil core in one-step reaction. The release of hydrophobic cargo from the nanocapsules can be controlled by the variation of amount of surfactant (Tween®20) in the release medium and a long duration sustained release was achieved.

KEYWORDS:

• Polymeric nanocapsules
• miniemulsion crosslinking
• PDMAEMA homopolymer
• hydrophobic cargo
• controlled release

Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21404113 and 41402037) and the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province Education Department (Nos. AQKJ2015B002 and KJ2016A862).