TITLE:
Biodegradable Blend Nanoparticles of Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers Prepared by Nano-Precipitation Method
AUTHORS:
Wichuda Nanthakasri, Mangkorn Srisa-Ard, Yodthong Baimark
KEYWORDS:
D, L-Lactide, ε-Caprolactone, Diblock Copolymers, Blend nanoparticles, Nano-Precipitation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology,
Vol.2 No.5,
December
9,
2011
ABSTRACT: Nanoparticles of biodegradable methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyester amphiphilic diblock copolymers have widely investigated for use as controlled release drug delivery carriers. In this work, blend nanoparticles of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (MPEG-b-PDLL) and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (MPEG- b-PCL) were prepared by nano-precipitation method without any surfactants. 1H-NMR spectra showed significant difference in integral peak areas, suggesting the nanoparticles with different MPEG-b-PDLL/MPEG-b-PCL blend ratios can be prepared. Transmission electron microscope revealed the blend nanoparticles had nearly spherical in shape with smooth surface. Average size of the blend nanoparticles obtained from light-scattering analysis slightly decreased with increase in blend ratio of MPEG-b-PCL. The MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL were amorphous and semi-crystalline, respectively. Thermal transition properties of the blend nanoparticles were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC results showed that glass transition temperatures of the blend nanoparticles decreased and heats of melting steadily increased, while the melting temperature did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. This indicates the miscibility of MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL in the amorphous phase of the blend nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the blend nanoparticles clearly exhibited two thermal decomposition steps due to MPEG-b-PDLL decomposition followed with MPEG-b-PCL. The blend nanoparticles had two temperatures of maximum decomposition rate (Td, max) accorded to each blend component. The Td, max of MPEG-b- PDLL phase significantly decreased, while Td, max of MPEG-b-PCL phase did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. These results suggested that the desired thermal properties of blend nanoparticles can be tailored by varying the blend ratio.