Biocompatible and Biodegradable Ultrafine Nanoparticles of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate-co-Methacrylic Acid) Prepared via Semicontinuous Heterophase Polymerization: Kinetics and Product Characterization

Henned Saade,Salvador Fernández,María De Lourdes Guillén,Anna Ilyna,Judith Cabello Romero,Francisco Javier Enríquez-Medrano,Jesús Cepeda,Raúl Guillermo López

doi:10.1155/2016/7674620

Abstract

Ultrafine nanoparticles, less than 10 nm in mean diameter, of the FDA approved copolymer methyl methacrylate- (MMA-)co-methacrylic acid (MAA), 2/1 (mol/mol), were prepared. The method used for the preparation of these particles stabilized in a latex containing around 11% solids includes the dosing of the monomers mixture on a micellar solution preserving monomer starved conditions. It is thought that the operation at these conditions combined with the hydrophilicity of MMA and MAA units favors the formation of ultrafine particles; the propagation reaction carried out within so small compartments renders copolymer chains rich in syndiotactic units very likely as consequence of the restricted movements of the end propagation of the chains. Because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability as well as their extremely small size these nanoparticles could be used as vehicles for improved drug delivery in the treatment of chronic-degenerative diseases.

Highlights

IntroductionThe copolymer methyl methacrylate- (MMA-) co-methacrylic acid (MAA), 2/1 (mol/mol), is a biodegradable material long time approved by the FDA, which is used for the elaboration of drug-loaded pills because of its water solubility at pH > 7 [1]
It is thought that the operation at these conditions combined with the hydrophilicity of MMA and methacrylic acid (MAA) units favors the formation of ultrafine particles; the propagation reaction carried out within so small compartments renders copolymer chains rich in syndiotactic units very likely as consequence of the restricted movements of the end propagation of the chains
The copolymer methyl methacrylate- (MMA-) co-methacrylic acid (MAA), 2/1, is a biodegradable material long time approved by the FDA, which is used for the elaboration of drug-loaded pills because of its water solubility at pH > 7 [1]

Summary

Introduction

The copolymer methyl methacrylate- (MMA-) co-methacrylic acid (MAA), 2/1 (mol/mol), is a biodegradable material long time approved by the FDA, which is used for the elaboration of drug-loaded pills because of its water solubility at pH > 7 [1]. This copolymer is marketed under the commercial name of Eudragit S-100 (ES-100) [1]. Reports on preparation of poly(MMA-co-MAA) 2/1 mol/mol nanoparticles via polymerization were not found in our literature search This is at odds with the increased potential of smaller particles as drug carriers, which could be produced by an appropriate polymerization method. Nanoparticles smaller than 50 nm in diameter are more internalized by cells [13]

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