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Confocal laser scanning microscopy to study formation and properties of polyelectrolyte nanocapsules derived from CdCO 3 templates
Author(s) -
Silvano D.,
Krol S.,
Diaspro A.,
Cavalleri O.,
Gliozzi A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.10235
Subject(s) - nanocapsules , template , nanotechnology , materials science , confocal laser scanning microscopy , polyelectrolyte , dissolution , confocal microscopy , microscopy , confocal , chemical engineering , drug delivery , polymer , nanoparticle , biophysics , optics , composite material , physics , engineering , biology
Three‐dimensional confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used as an essential investigation method to obtain information about the formation and morphological characteristics of nanocapsules. Nanocapsules are built by layer‐by‐layer deposition of alternatively charged polyelectrolytes on templates forming nanostructured hollow shells. CLSM is unique in allowing for monitoring of the core dissolution process in real time and for studying nanocapsule functioning in hydrated conditions within a three‐dimensional and temporal framework. Since we are also interested in the identification of other possible templates, we briefly report on the use of yeast cells as biocolloidal cores monitored by means of two‐photon microscopy. Here we focus our attention on the use of CdCO 3 crystals as template candidates for the preparation of stable capsules. Both cubic and spherical CdCO 3 cores have been produced. Cubic cores exhibit higher monodispersity and smaller size compared to spherical ones. Capsules templated on these cores have a higher surface‐to‐volume ratio that is valuable for applications related to drug delivery, functional properties of the shells and adsorption of proteins, and other biologically relevant molecules. Microsc. Res. Tech. 59:536–541, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.