pH‐responsive polymer core–shell nanospheres for drug delivery

Stimuli‐responsive polymer nanoparticles are playing an increasingly more important role in drug delivery applications. However, limited knowledge has been accumulated about processes which use stimuli‐responsive polymer nanospheres (matrix nanoparticles whose entire mass is solid) to carry and deliver hydrophobic therapeutics in aqueous solution. In this research, pyrene was selected as a model hydrophobic drug and a pyrene‐loaded core‐shell structured nanosphere named poly(DEAEMA)‐poly(PEGMA) was designed as a drug carrier where DEAEMA and PEGMA represent 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, respectively. The pyrene‐loaded core‐shell nanospheres were prepared via an in situ two‐step semibatch emulsion polymerization method. The particle size of the core‐shell nanosphere can be well controlled through adjusting the level of surfactant used in the polymerization where an average particle diameter of below 100 nm was readily achieved. The surfactant was removed via a dialysis operation after polymerization. Egg lecithin vesicles (liposome) were prepared to mimic the membrane of a cell and to receive the released pyrene from the nanosphere carriers. The in vitro release profiles of pyrene toward different pH liposome vesicles were recorded as a function of time at 37 °C. It was found that release of pyrene from the core‐shell polymer matrix can be triggered by a change in the environmental pH. In particular the pyrene‐loaded nanospheres are capable of responding to a narrow window of pH change from pH = 5, 6, to 7 and can achieve a significant pyrene release of above 80% within 90 h. The rate of release increased with a decrease in pH. A first‐order kinetic model was proposed to describe the rate of release with respect to the concentration of pyrene in the polymer matrix. The first‐order rate constant of release k was thus determined as 0.049 h^?1 for pH = 5; 0.043 h^?1 for pH = 6; and 0.035 h^?1 for pH = 7 at 37 °C. The release of pyrene was considered to follow a diffusion‐controlled mechanism. The synthesis and encapsulation process developed herein provides a new approach to prepare smart nanoparticles for efficient delivery of hydrophobic drugs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4440–4450     

In situ measurement of bovine serum albumin interaction with gold nanospheres

We present in situ observations of adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on citrate-stabilized gold nanospheres. We implemented scattering correlation spectroscopy as a tool to quantify changes in the nanoparticle brownian motion resulting from BSA adsorption onto the nanoparticle surface. Protein binding was observed as an increase in the nanoparticle hydrodynamic radius. Our results indicate the formation of a protein monolayer at similar albumin concentrations as those found in human blood. Additionally, by monitoring the frequency and intensity of individual scattering events caused by single gold nanoparticles passing the observation volume, we found that BSA did not induce colloidal aggregation, a relevant result from the toxicological viewpoint. Moreover, to elucidate the thermodynamics of the gold nanoparticle-BSA association, we measured an adsorption isotherm which was best described by an anticooperative binding model. The number of binding sites based on this model was consistent with a BSA monolayer in its native state. In contrast, experiments using poly(ethylene glycol)-capped gold nanoparticles revealed no evidence for adsorption of BSA.     

Instantaneous drug delivery of magnetic/thermally sensitive nanospheres by a high-frequency magnetic field

Novel dual-functional nanospheres composed of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in a thermo-sensitive Pluronic F127 (F127) matrix were successfully synthesized by an in situ coprecipitation process. The nanospheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Experimental observations indicated that the F127 was subjected to a rapid structural change when the magnetic phase caused rapid heating after a short exposure to a high-frequency magnetic field. During the field duration, considerable volume shrinkage of the nanospheres (2.3-fold diameter reduction) was detected. This has been translated to an instantaneous release of a drug, Doxorubicin (DOX), when the DOX was encapsulated within the nanospheres. Such a rapidly responsive release of the DOX from the nanospheres was due to an intimate contact between the nanomagnet and F127, where an effective thermal and mechanical transfer between core and shell phases efficiently took place in the presence of the magnetic field.     

Magnetic-sensitive silica nanospheres for controlled drug release

Recently, magnetic silica-based nanospheres have received great attention and displayed magnificent potential for bioimaging and therapeutic purposes. This study provided a way to accelerate drug release from magnetic-sensitive silica nanospheres by controlled bursting to a therapeutically effective concentration by a high-frequency magnetic field (HFMF). The magnetic-sensitive silica nanospheres were synthesized by an in situ process, with particle sizes about 50 nm and able to release specific amounts of drug in a burst manner via short exposure to a HFMF. The HFMF accelerates the rotation of magnetic nanoparticles deposited in the silica matrix with generated heat energy and subsequently enlarges the nanostructure of the silica matrix to produce porous channels that cause the drug to be released easily. By taking these magnetic-responsive controllable drug release behaviors, the magnetic silica nanospheres can be designed for controlled burst release of therapeutic agents for especially urgent physiological needs.     

Core‐shell functional nanospheres for oligonucleotide delivery. III. Stealth nanospheres

Polymethyl methacrylate‐based stealth and functional nanospheres, specifically designed for the reversible adsorption of oligonucleotides (ODN), were prepared by emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of an ionic comonomer, namely a quaternary ammonium salt of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, and a nonionic comonomer, namely a poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate. The nanosphere size is substantially affected by the amount of both the nonionic and ionic comonomers. By appropriately adjusting the concentrations of the ionic and nonionic comonomers, the quaternary ammonium group and PEG chain surface densities can be finely tuned. Accordingly, a great variety of core‐shell‐type nanospheres, able to bind ODN and to induce dysopsonic effect, can be obtained. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3347–3354, 2000     

In situ facile loading of noble metal nanoparticles on polydopamine nanospheres via galvanic replacement reaction for multifunctional catalysis

Noble metal nanoparticles(Pd,Ag,Pt,Au) with small and relatively uniform sizes were loaded on polydopamine nanospheres through in situ galvanic replacement reaction in aqueous solution.No additional reductant,surfactant or organic solvent was needed.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results revealed that the amount of quinone increased,while the amount of phenolic hydroxyl decreased on PDA nanospheres,indicating that the galvanic displacement reaction occurred between catechol groups and noble metal ions.The as-prepared PDA/Pd exhibited high catalytic activity and excellent stability in styrene hydrogenation.Moreover,PDA spheres retains the photo-thermal effect to serve as a nano-sized heater to accelerate the catalytic reactions under near-infrared illumination.     

In situ gelling hexagonal phases for sustained release of an anti-addiction drug

In this study, fluid precursor formulations for subcutaneous injection and in situ formation of hexagonal phase gels upon water absorption were developed as a strategy to sustain the release of naltrexone, a drug used for treatment of drug addiction. Precursor formulations were obtained by combining BRIJ 97 with propylene glycol (PG, 5-70%, w/w). To study the phase behavior of these formulations, water was added at 10-90% (w/w), and the resulting systems were characterized by polarized light microscopy. Two precursor formulations containing BRIJ:PG at 95:5 (w/w, referred to as BRIJ-95) and at 80:20 (w/w, referred to as BRIJ-80) were chosen. Naltrexone was dissolved at 1% or suspended at 5% (w/w). Precursor formulations were transformed into hexagonal phases when water content exceeded 20%. Water uptake followed second-order kinetics, and after 2-4h all precursor formulations were transformed into hexagonal phases. Drug release was prolonged by the precursor formulations (compared to a drug solution in PBS), and followed pseudo-first order kinetics regardless of naltrexone concentration. The release from BRIJ-80 was significantly higher than that from BRIJ-95 after 48 h. The relative safety of the precursor formulations was assessed in cultured fibroblasts. Even though BRIJ-95 was more cytotoxic than BRIJ-80, both precursor formulations were significantly less cytotoxic than sodium lauryl sulfate (considered moderate-to-severe irritant) at the same concentration (up to 50 μg/mL). These results suggest the potential of BRIJ-based precursor formulations for sustained naltrexone release.     

In situ formation and reaction of 2-pyridylboronic esters

2-Pyridylboronic esters were generated by cross-coupling 2-bromopyridines with bis(pinacolato)diboron in the presence of a base and palladium catalyst. The boronic esters reacted in situ with unreacted 2-bromopyridines to afford high yields of 2,2′-bipyridines as homocoupled products. Depending upon the reaction conditions, varying amounts of protodeboronated products were also observed. An attempted cross-coupling between two different 2-bromopyridines produced a nearly statistical mixture of homo- and cross-coupled products.     

In situ formation of ruthenium catalysts for the homogeneous hydrogenation of carbon dioxide

A total of 44 different phosphines were tested, in combination with [RuCl(2)(C(6)H(6))](2) and three other Ru(II) precursors, for their ability to form active catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO(2) to formic acid. Half (22) of the ligands formed catalysts of significant activity, and only 6 resulted in very high rates of production of formic acid. These were PMe(3), PPhMe(2), dppm, dppe, and cis- and trans-Ph(2)PCH=CHPPh(2). The in situ catalysts prepared from [RuCl(2)(C(6)H(6))](2) and any of these 6 phosphine ligands were found to be at least as efficient as the isolated catalyst RuCl(O(2)CMe)(PMe(3))(4). There was no correlation between the basicity of monophosphines (PR(3)) and the activity of the catalysts formed from them. However, weakly basic diphosphines formed highly active catalysts only if their bite angles were small, while more strongly basic diphosphines had the opposite trend. In situ (31)P NMR spectroscopy showed that trans-Ru(H)(2)(dppm)(2), trans-RuCl(2)(dppm)(2), trans-RuHCl(dppm)(2), cis-Ru(H)(O(2)CH)(dppm)(2), and cis-Ru(O(2)CH)(2)(dppm)(2) are produced as the major metal-containing species in reactions of dppm with [RuCl(2)(C(6)H(6))](2) under catalytic conditions at 50 degrees C.     

Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite core-shell nanospheres. Part 1: A multifunctional system for controlled drug delivery

Biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAp) are selected for the formation of a multifunctional system with the specific core-shell structure to be applied as a carrier of a drug. As a result, both components of PLGA/HAp core-shells are able to capture one part of the drug. Polymeric shells consisting of small nanospheres up to 20nm in size act as a matrix in which one part of the drug is dispersed. In the same time, ceramic cores are formed of rod-like hydroxyapatite particles at the surface of which another part of the drug is adsorbed onto the interface between the polymer and the ceramics. The content of the loaded drug, as well as the selected solvent/non-solvent system, have a crucial influence on the resulting PLGA/HAp morphology and, finally, unimodal distribution of core-shells is obtained. The redistribution of the drug between the organic and inorganic parts of the material is expected to provide an interesting contribution to the kinetics of the drug release resulting in non-typical two-step drug release.     

Core‐shell functional nanospheres for oligonucleotide delivery. II

Two polymethylmethacrylate functional nanosphere series, specifically designed for the reversible adsorption of oligonucleotides, were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of two structurally different ionic comonomers, namely two quaternary ammonium salts of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. The nanosphere size is substantially affected by the ionic comonomer structure and amount. The width of the size distribution tends to decrease with increasing the comonomer amount in solution, and monosized nanosphere samples are obtained at a high comonomer amount. The ionic comonomer weight percentage on the nanospheres increases monotonically in both sample series as the comonomer concentration increases. In contrast, the trend of the quaternary ammonium group surface density is different in the two sample series displaying a regular increase or a maximum value as the ionic comonomer concentration increases. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1110–1117, 2000     

In situ UV-visible spectroelectrochemical evidences for conducting copolymer formation between diphenylamine and m-methoxyaniline

Electrochemical copolymerization of diphenylamine (DPA) with m-methoxy aniline (MA) was carried out in 4 M H(2)SO(4) by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the copolymer films were recorded in monomer-free background electrolyte. In situ sepectroelectrochemical studies were carried out on an optically transparent electrode (Indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass) in 4 M H(2)SO(4) for different feed ratios of the comonomers. Constant potential and potential sweep methods were employed for performing polymerization. UV-visible absorption spectra were collected continuously and concurrently during the copolymerization in both the cases. The results from constant potential electropolymerisation indicated the formation of an intermediate with an absorption peak at 576 nm. Derivative cyclic voltabsorptogram (DCVA) was deduced from the results of cyclic spectrovoltammetry. The DCVA derived at 576 nm confirms the intermediates formed during the electrochemical copolymerization. The compositional changes of the two monomers in the copolymers with changes in feed composition of two monomers as predicted from in situ spectro electrochemical studies are evident from elemental analysis. A plausible copolymerization mechanism is suggested.     

In situ formation of ionically conductive nanointerphase on Si particles for stable battery anode

Silicon(Si) is a promising anode candidate for next-generation lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity.Solar Si photovoltaic waste possesses good purity and high output. Using it as the raw material for battery anodes can synchronously solve the problem of solid waste pollution and enable high energy density LIBs. A critical issue impeding the practical application of Si is the undesirable side reactions at the electrolyte-particle interface and the resulting increase in impedance during cycling. Herein, a Si–P core shell structure with chemical bonding at the Si–P interface is fabricated through a simple mechanical alloying reaction between red P and solar Si photovoltaic waste. The P nanoshell with thickness within 15 nm converts to Li_3P during the initial lithiation process and maintains its phase on cycling. The as-formed Li_3P nanolayer functions as a stable, ionically conductive protective layer that reduces the direct contact between Si and electrolytes, and thus suppresses undesired side reactions. The Si–P nanocomposite exhibits stable electrochemical cycling with a high reversible capacity of1,178 mAh g~(-1) after 500 cycles at 1,200 mA g~(-1), as well as excellent rate capability(912 mAh g~(-1) at 2 C). With 15 wt% addition to graphite, a graphite/Si–P hybrid electrode shows a high overall reversible specific capacity of 447 mAh g~(-1) and 88.3%capacity retention after 100 cycles at high areal capacity of 2.64 m Ah cm-2 at 100 mA g~(-1), indicating its promise as a drop-in anode in practical LIBs.     

In situ AFM studies of SEI formation at a Sn electrode

Early stages of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation at a tin foil electrode in an ethylene carbonate (EC) based electrolyte were investigated by in situ AFM and cyclic voltammetry (CV) at potentials >0.7 V, i.e., above the potential of Sn–Li alloying. We detected and observed initial steps of the surface film formation at ～2.8 V vs. Li/Li⁺ followed by gradual film morphology changes at potentials 0.7 < U < 2.5 V. The SEI layer undergoes continuous reformation during the following CV cycles between 0.7 and 2.5 V. The surface film on Sn does not effectively prevent the electrolyte reduction and a large fraction of the reaction products dissolve in the electrolyte. The unstable SEI layer on Sn in EC-based electrolytes may compromise the use of tin-based anodes in Li-ion battery systems unless the interfacial chemistry of the electrode and/or electrolyte is modified.     

Mesoporous materials for drug delivery

Research on mesoporous materials for biomedical purposes has experienced an outstanding increase during recent years. Since 2001, when MCM-41 was first proposed as drug-delivery system, silica-based materials, such as SBA-15 or MCM-48, and some metal-organic frameworks have been discussed as drug carriers and controlled-release systems. Mesoporous materials are intended for both systemic-delivery systems and implantable local-delivery devices. The latter application provides very promising possibilities in the field of bone-tissue repair because of the excellent behavior of these materials as bioceramics. This Minireview deals with the advances in this field by the control of the textural parameters, surface functionalization, and the synthesis of sophisticated stimuli-response systems.     

Biodegradable polyphosphazenes for drug delivery

Polyphosphazene derivatives having amino acid ester side groups were prepared by reaction of poly(dichlorophosphazene) with ethyl esters of amino acids. The in vitro degradation studies demonstrated that the rate of degradation depends on the nature of the amino acids. Introducing small amounts of hydrolytically sensitive groups such as depsipeptide ester or hydrolysis-catalysing moieties, such as histidine ethyl ester co-substituents, resulted in an increase of the degradation. The rate of hydrolytic degradation of the polyphosphazene material could be controlled by the content of the hydrolytically sensitive side groups or by blending hydrolysis-sensitive polymers with more stable derivatives. The results obtained from the in vivo implantation of biodegradable polyphosphazenes in mice indicate that the materials are very well tolerated by the animal body. Biodegradable polyphosphazenes have been used as matrix for the design of drug delivery systems. The rate of the in vitro release of mitomycin C from biodegradable polyphosphazenes can be controlled by changing the chemical composition of the polymer or by blending polymers of different chemical compositions.