Microfluidically fabricated pH-responsive anionic amphiphilic microgels for drug release
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Lu, B
Tarn, MD
Pamme, N
Georgiou, TK
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Amphiphilic microgels of different composition based on the hydrophilic, pH-responsive acrylic acid (AA) and the hydrophobic, non-ionic n-butyl acrylate (BuA) were synthesised using a lab-on-a-chip device. Hydrophobic droplets were generated via a microfluidic platform that contained a protected form of AA, BuA, the hydrophobic crosslinker, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and a free radical initiator in an organic solvent. These hydrophobic droplets were photopolymerised within the microfluidic channels and subsequently hydrolysed, enabling an integrated platform for the rapid, automated, and in situ production of anionic amphiphilic microgels. The amphiphilic microgels did not feature the conventional core–shell structure but were instead based on random amphiphilic copolymers of AA and BuA and hydrophobic crosslinks. Due to their amphiphilic nature they were able to encapsulate and deliver both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties. The model drug delivery and the swelling ability of the microgels were influenced by the pH of the surrounding aqueous solution and the hydrophobic content of the microgels.
Date Issued
2016-05-14
Date Acceptance
2015-12-26
Citation
Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2016, 4 (18), pp.3086-3093
ISSN
2050-7518
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
3086
End Page
3093
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Materials Chemistry B
Volume
4
Issue
18
Copyright Statement
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Materials Science
MODIFIED POLY(ACRYLIC ACID)
GROUP-TRANSFER POLYMERIZATIONS
ORGANIC-DYE REMOVAL
MODEL CONETWORKS
METHACRYLIC-ACID
2-(DIMETHYLAMINO)ETHYL METHACRYLATE
POLYMER COMPOSITION
STAR COPOLYMERS
ARCHITECTURE
NETWORKS
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2015-12-29