Nanoprecipitation and Nanoformulation of Polymers: From History to Powerful Possibilities Beyond Poly(Lactic Acid)

Schubert, Stephanie; Delaney, Joseph T.; Schubert, Ulrich S.

Abstract:

Nanoprecipitation is a facile, mild, and low energy input process for the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles. Basic requirements, as well as common techniques for the self-assembly of non-charged and non-amphiphilic macromolecules into defined nanoparticles are described. At present, the primary focus of polymer nanoprecipitation research lays on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its copolymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). This contribution thus emphasises on polymers beyond PLA systems, such as common industrial- or tailored lab-made polymers, and their ability to form welldefined, functional nanoparticles for a variety of applications now and in the past two centuries. Moreover, in combination with high-throughput devices such as microfluidics, pipetting robots, inkjet printers, and automated analytical instrumentation, the abilities of nanoprecipitation may broaden tremendously with significant effects on new applications.

Year:

2011

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Soft Matter

Volume:

7

Pages:

1581 - 1588