An investigation into the parameters affecting preparation of polybutyl cyanoacrylate nanoparticles by emulsion polymerization

Abstract

Emulsion polymerization was used to synthesize poly butyl cyanoacrylate nanoparticles in presence of steric stabilizer dextran 70. Nanoparticles were characterized by particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Polymerization factors affecting particle size and distribution such as dextran 70, polysorbate 80 (PS 80) and H(+) concentration, polymerization time and temperature, and sonication were studied. Distinct concentrations of stabilizer were needed to produce proper nanoparticles. In this case, the appropriate value was 2 % of total volume. At pH 4 significant decrease in production efficiency demonstrated the substantial effect of H(+) concentration on nanoparticles. Furthermore significant increases in particle size and distribution was observed at 50 °C compared to room temperature. 0.001 % (v/v) PS 80 represented notable influence on size and distribution. In addition, shaped nanoparticles were obtained by altering polymerization time from 5.5 h to 18 h. Finally, nanoparticle features were influenced by different factors. Appropriate manipulating of such factors can lead to obtaining desirable nanoparticles.

Keywords: Affecting factors; Drug delivery; Nanoparticles; Polybutyl cyanoacrylate.

Fig. 1

Picture shows two different types of pellets and their supernatants. Sample A2 (image on right side) constructed with ps 80 and A3 manufactured without ps 80 (image on left side). Larger pellet and clearer supernatant (b) obtain at the present of ps 80

Fig. 2

SEM micrograph of nanoparticle A2 (magnification ×15,000)

Fig. 3

SEM micrograph of nanoparticle A8. Lessen the concentration of stabilizer to 0.1 % resulted in the coalescence of unstable formed nanoparticles and produce aggregates of polymer (magnification ×4,544)

Fig. 4

The effect of pH on the quality of nanoparticles (A9). Some polymeric crystalline forms were produced because of pH raise from 2 to 4 (magnification ×100)

Fig. 5

Light microscopy of nanoparticles produced with 1 % dextran concentration (A10). Freezing-point depressions to −20 resulted in disruption of nanoparticle configuration from normal (a) to sloppy crystalline shapes (b) (magnification ×400)

Fig. 6

Light microscopy of nanoparticles produced at 1 % dextran concentration. Nanoparticles after freezing performance (a), and those nanoparticles after 30 min sonication (b) (magnification ×100)