A Comprehensive Review of One Decade of Microfluidic Platforms Applications in Synthesis of Enhanced Carriers Utilized in Controlled Drug Delivery

Abstract

AbstractNovel nanocarriers such as multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) have recently attracted attention due to their various applications, specifically in medicine and treatment. However, it is vital that these particles be synthesized with meticulous control of different structural, chemical, and physical properties. In response to this demand, microfluidic (MF) technology as a reliable procedure can provide promising results in the development of desired NPs and efficient drug delivery systems. By controlling the flow rates of multiphase fluids and conditions of chemical reactions, MF technology enables the fabrication of uniform and highly stable particles with enhanced surfaces, higher encapsulation efficiency, and controlled release of therapeutic agents compared with conventional bulk methods. This review article investigates the MF‐based methods utilized in the synthesis of NPs and their advantages in developing novel drug delivery systems. It also provides a comprehensive comparison with conventional methods from a different point of view, emphasizing a novel category of nanocarriers’ critical characteristics. In addition, a summary of the most recent representative works on NPs fabrication by MF procedures is presented, and their potential and applications in drug delivery are discussed.