Facile synthesis of poly(ε-caprolactone) micro and nanospheres using different types of polyelectrolytes as stabilizers under ambient and elevated temperature

Abstract

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) particles were prepared by physicochemical method with solvent/non-solvent systems. The synthetic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and natural polymer poly(α,γ,l-glutamic acid) (PGA), were used as stabilizers and their influence on size and morphology of the particles was examined. The results were compared with those obtained without the use of stabilizers. This study evaluated, for the first time, PGA as stabilizer of PCL particles and demonstrated that PGA is more efficient stabilizer of PCL particles than most commonly used PVP. The particles obtained by using PGA as stabilizer were spherical, with smooth surfaces and dimensions below 1 μm. The drying conditions were also varied in order to examine their influence on the formation of PCL particles. The samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size distribution (DLS) and zeta potential measurements.