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. 2011 Jan 1;2011(2011):1-13.
doi: 10.1155/2011/910539.

Smart Magnetically Responsive Hydrogel Nanoparticles Prepared by a Novel Aerosol-Assisted Method for Biomedical and Drug Delivery Applications

Ibrahim M El-Sherbiny  1 , Hugh D C Smyth
Affiliations

Smart Magnetically Responsive Hydrogel Nanoparticles Prepared by a Novel Aerosol-Assisted Method for Biomedical and Drug Delivery Applications

Ibrahim M El-Sherbiny et al. J Nanomater. .

Abstract

We have developed a novel spray gelation-based method to synthesize a new series of magnetically responsive hydrogel nanoparticles for biomedical and drug delivery applications. The method is based on the production of hydrogel nanoparticles from sprayed polymeric microdroplets obtained by an air-jet nebulization process that is immediately followed by gelation in a crosslinking fluid. Oligoguluronate (G-blocks) was prepared through the partial acid hydrolysis of sodium alginate. PEG-grafted chitosan was also synthesized and characterized (FTIR, EA, and DSC). Then, magnetically responsive hydrogel nanoparticles based on alginate and alginate/G-blocks were synthesized via aerosolization followed by either ionotropic gelation or both ionotropic and polyelectrolyte complexation using CaCl(2) or PEG-g-chitosan/CaCl(2) as crosslinking agents, respectively. Particle size and dynamic swelling were determined using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and microscopy. Surface morphology of the nanoparticles was examined using SEM. The distribution of magnetic cores within the hydrogels nanoparticles was also examined using TEM. In addition, the iron and calcium contents of the particles were estimated using EDS. Spherical magnetic hydrogel nanoparticles with average particle size of 811 ± 162 to 941 ± 2 nm were obtained. This study showed that the developed method is promising for the manufacture of hydrogel nanoparticles, and it represents a relatively simple and potential low-cost system.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
FTIR spectra of (a) Cs as compared to (b) the synthesized PEG-g-Cs copolymer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
DSC characterizations of the synthesized PEG-g-Cs copolymer (c) as compared to the starting materials; (a) PEG-COOH and (b) Cs.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) An illustration of the new spray gelation-based method used in the development of the hydrogel nanoparticles. (b) Schematic illustration of the developed magnetically responsive hydrogel nanoparticles.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photographs showing the magnetic nature of the developed hydrogel nanoparticles (aqueous suspensions of different concentrations).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Scanning electron micrographs of some developed magnetic hydrogel nanoparticles; IIIA (a) and IIIB (b and c) showing the spherical nature of the developed nanoparticles.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) of the developed magnetic hydrogel nanoparticles. (b) The iron and calcium contents of the magnetic hydrogels as determined by the EDS.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Dynamic swelling of the magnetic hydrogel nanoparticles crosslinked with CaCl2 in PBS, 7.4.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Dynamic swelling of the magnetic hydrogel nanoparticles crosslinked with CaCl2/PEG-g-Cs (1 : 1) in PBS, 7.4.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Microscopic images illustrating the differences in size of some developed magnetic hydrogel nanoparticles (a) dry IIIB NPs, (b) dry IIIA NPs, and (c) swelled IIIA NPs in PBS, pH 7.4.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Statistical analysis of the effect of the formulation's parameters on both particle size and equilibrium swelling of the developed magnetic hydrogel nanoparticles.
Scheme 1
Scheme 1
Schematic illustration of the preparation of oligoguluronate blocks (G-blocks).
Scheme 2
Scheme 2
Schematic illustration of the synthesis of PEG-g-Cs copolymer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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