Spontaneous compartmentalization in chitosan - phytate - lignosulfonate microparticles by gas-shearing microfluidics

Abstract

Compartmentalized microparticles fit a niche in many applications due to their hierarchical structures and designable multifunction. However, it is difficult to avoid using surfactants or other auxiliary components in existing aqueous two-phase or other phase separation systems, which limit the potential bio-applications. Herein, spontaneous compartmentalized chitosan (CS) microparticles with various structures were designed for the first time through gas-shearing microfluidics. It was formed based on the difference in the degree of cross-linking between CS and various cross-linkers. In our design, compartmentalized microparticles only contain CS, phytate (PA) and lignosulfonate (LS), and no other additives are used in the fabrication process. The concentrations of PA and LS affected the structure of microparticles, and crosslinking time and incubation time also had a hold on the compartmentalized behavior of CS-PA-LS microparticles. CS microparticles created using other ionic crosslinkers can also spontaneously compartmentalize based on this strategy. Furthermore, the pH-responsive, antibacterial, and biocompatible properties make CS-PA-LS microparticles attractive materials for widespread applications.