4 research outputs found
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Synthesis and solution properties of a temperature-responsive PNIPAMâb-PDMSâb-PNIPAM triblock copolymer
In this paper, we report the synthesis and self-assembly of a novel thermoresponsive PNIPAM60âb-PDMS70âb-PNIPAM60 triblock copolymer in aqueous solution. The copolymer used a commercially available precursor modified with an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator to produce an ABA triblock copolymer via ATRP. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to shed light on the structures of nanoparticles formed in aqueous solutions of this copolymer at two temperatures, 25 and 40 °C. The poly(dimethylsiloxane) block is very hydrophobic and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is thermoresponsive. SANS data at 25 °C indicates that the solutions of PNIPAMâb-PDMSâb-PNIPAM copolymers form well-defined aggregates with presumably coreâshell structures below cloud point temperature. The scattering curves originating from nanoparticles formed at 40 °C in 100% D2O or 100% H2O were successfully fitted with the Beaucage model describing aggregates with hierarchical structure
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Cyclodextrin-mediated enhancement of riboflavin solubility and corneal permeability
Cyclodextrins are water-soluble cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of six, seven, and eight α-(1,4)-linked glucopyranose subunits. This study reports the use of different cyclodextrins in eye drop formulations to improve the aqueous solubility and corneal permeability of riboflavin. Riboflavin is a poorly soluble drug with a solubility up to 0.08 mg mLâ1 in deionized water. It is used as a drug topically administered to the eye to mediate UV-induced corneal cross-linking in the treatment of keratoconus. Aqueous solutions of ÎČ-cyclodextrin (10â30 mg mLâ1) can enhance the solubility of riboflavin up to 0.12â0.19 mg mLâ1, whereas the higher concentration of α-cyclodextrin (100 mg mLâ1) achieved a lower level of enhancement of 0.11 mg mLâ1. The other oligosaccharides were found to be inefficient for this purpose. In vitro diffusion experiments performed with fresh and cryopreserved bovine cornea have demonstrated that ÎČ-cyclodextrin enhances riboflavin permeability. The mechanism of this enhancement was examined through microscopic histological analysis of the cornea and is discussed in this paper
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Temperature-responsive properties and drug solubilization capacity of amphiphilic copolymers based on N-vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl propyl ether
A series of amphiphilic copolymers were synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) with vinyl propyl ether (VPE), and the structure of the copolymers was characterized by elemental analysis and gel permeation chromatography. The reactivity of VPE in copolymerization was found to be significantly lower than the reactivity of NVP, which resulted in a decrease of copolymersâ yields and molecular weights with higher content of VPE in the feed mixture. An investigation of the behavior of the copolymers in aqueous solutions at different temperatures by dynamic light scattering revealed the presence of lower critical solution temperature, which depending on the content of VPE ranged within 23â38 °C. Aqueous solutions of these copolymers were studied by fluorescent spectroscopy with pyrene as a polarity probe to reveal the formation of hydrophobic domains. The copolymers were found to be useful for enhancing the solubility of riboflavin in water
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On the Role of Specific Interactions in the Diffusion of Nanoparticles in Aqueous Polymer Solutions
Understanding nanoparticle diffusion within
non-Newtonian biological and synthetic fluids is essential in designing novel formulations (e.g., nanomedicines for drug delivery, shampoos, lotions, coatings, paints, etc.), but is presently poorly defined. This study reports the diffusion of thiolated and PEGylated silica nanoparticles, characterized by small-angle neutron scattering, in solutions of various water-soluble polymers such as poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(Nvinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) probed using NanoSight nanoparticle tracking analysis. Results show that the diffusivity of nanoparticles is affected by their dimensions, medium viscosity, and, in particular, the specific interactions between nanoparticles and the macromolecules in solution; strong attractive interactions such as hydrogen bonding hamper diffusion. The water-soluble polymers retarded the diffusion of thiolated particles in the order PEO > PVP > PAA > HEC
whereas for PEGylated silica particles retardation followed the order PAA > PVP = HEC > PEO. In the absence of specific interactions with the medium, PEGylated nanoparticles exhibit enhanced mobility compared to their thiolated counterparts despite some increase in their dimensions