(398v) Size and Morphology Control of Polymeric Nanoparticles By Tuning Polymer Components and Process Parameters

In drug delivery, size and morphology are two key variables that may determine the circulation time, release profile and cellular uptake of biodegradable polymeric drug carriers. However, much remains unknown about how to control self-assembled polymeric particle homogenous in size and morphology. Therefore, the objective of this article is to conduct a study on how block copolymer properties as well as process parameters affect the size and morphology of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. Two widely-used biodegradable block copolymers methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol)-poly-_L-lactic acid (mPEG-b-PCL and mPEG-b-PLLA) with different hydrophilic ratios were synthesized and fabricated into nanoparticles via nanoprecipitation and film rehydration method. The size and morphology of nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that both polymer properties and process physicochemical parameters had an influence on the particle size and polydispersity, but the extent of impact varied greatly. At the same time, the morphology of nanoparticle was not only determined by polymer hydrophilicity as previous research stated, but also dependent on preparation method which is worthy of careful further investigation. It is believed that this article will demonstrate some relationships between polymer properties as well as process physicochemical parameters and nanoparticle features that could be useful in particle engineering.