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Ultrastable Liquid–Liquid Interface as Viable Route for Controlled Deposition of Biodegradable Polymer Nanocapsules
Author(s) -
Vecchione Raffaele,
Iaccarino Giulia,
Bianchini Paolo,
Marotta Roberto,
D'autilia Francesca,
Quagliariello Vincenzo,
Diaspro Alberto,
Netti Paolo A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201600347
Subject(s) - nanocapsules , materials science , polymer , nanotechnology , miniemulsion , nanoparticle , self assembly , deposition (geology) , nanobiotechnology , chemical engineering , polymerization , composite material , paleontology , sediment , engineering , biology
Liquid–liquid interfaces are highly dynamic and characterized by an elevated interfacial tension as compared to solid–liquid interfaces. Therefore, they are gaining an increasing interest as viable templates for ordered assembly of molecules and nanoparticles. However, liquid–liquid interfaces are more difficult to handle compared to solid–liquid interfaces; their intrinsic instability may affect the assembly process, especially in the case of multiple deposition. Indeed, some attempts have been made in the deposition of polymer multilayers at liquid–liquid interfaces, but with limited control over size and stability. This study reports on the preparation of an ultrastable liquid–liquid interface based on an O/W secondary miniemulsion and its possible use as a template for the self‐assembly of polymeric multilayer nanocapsules. Such polymer nanocapsules are made of entirely biodegradable materials, with highly controlled size—well under 200 nm—and multi‐compartment and multifunctional features enriching their field of application in drug delivery, as well as in other bionanotechnology fields.