Production and Functionalization of P(MMA‐co‐AA) Nanoparticles by Miniemulsion Polymerization

Abstract

SummaryIn the present work, the production of poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylic acid), P(MMA‐co‐AA), nanoparticles and the subsequent functionalization through immobilization of BSA (bovine serum albuminum) and lysine were investigated. Nanoparticles produced presented average size of 100 nm, zeta potential of −40 mV and AA content ranging from 1 to 10 mol%. Particularly, it was shown that inespecific physical interactions control the adsorption of BSA onto the particle surfaces. On the other hand, lysine was covalently bonded to the nanoparticles, producing particles with more negative zeta potentials and leading to larger rates of immobilization. These results can be related to the smaller size of the aminoacid molecule and to the much higher availability of amino groups during the aminoacid immobilization, indicating that the size of the biomolecular signals must be taken into consideration during functionalization of nanoparticles for use in targeted delivery applications.