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Microgels for the Encapsulation and Stimulus‐Responsive Release of Molecules with Distinct Polarities
Author(s) -
Jagadeesan Dinesh,
Nasimova Irina,
Gourevich Ilya,
Starodubtsev Sergey,
Kumacheva Eugenia
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.201100045
Subject(s) - monomer , emulsion , molecule , microfluidics , polar , sonication , chemical engineering , chemistry , aqueous two phase system , drug delivery , aqueous solution , polymer , nanotechnology , materials science , organic chemistry , chromatography , physics , astronomy , engineering
A microfluidic strategy for the encapsulation and stimulus‐responsive release of molecules with distinct polarities from the interior of microgels is reported. The approach relies on (i) the generation of a primary O/W emulsion by the ultrasonication method, (ii) MF emulsification of the primary emulsion, and (iii) photopolymerization of the monomer present in the aqueous phase of the droplets, thereby transforming them into microgels. Non‐polar molecules are dissolved in oil droplets embedded in the microgels. Polar molecules are physically associated with the hydrogel network. Upon heating, the microgels contract and release polar and non‐polar cargo molecules. The approach paves the way for stimuli‐responsive vehicles for multiple drug delivery.