pH-Responsive Microcapsules for Protein Release: One-Step Synthesis via Interfacial Complexation of Hydrogen-Bonding Polymers
발표자
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초록
내용
pH-responsive microcapsules are synthesized by interfacial complexation of hydrogen-bonding polymers using water-in-oil-in-oil-in-water triple emulsion droplets as templates. The complementary hydrogen-bonding of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) at the inner water/oil interface followed by spontaneous dewetting leads to formation of microcapsules with an aqueous core dispersed in aqueous phase. We show that the microcapsules undergo shrinkage and reswelling by the osmotic pressure originating from consumption of PMAA and subsequent diffusion of surfactants into the interior. We also demonstrate that the permeability of the PPO/PMAA membrane can be controlled by varying the molecular weight of PMAA. Unlike the analogous microcapsules prepared using electrostatic interactions, the resulting PPO/PMAA microcapsules are stable at a high salt concentration (>1M NaCl) while exhibiting release of protein above the critical pH of which the PMAA ionize.