Synthesis of thermosensitive polycaprolactone nanoparticle

• 1、Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, TianJin 300071
• 2、Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071

Abstract：Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation using Tween 80 as emusifier, aceton as solvent. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and TEM. Core-shell microgels with PCL as core and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as shell was prepared by grafting PNIPAM from the surface of PCL nanoparticles ceric ion as initiator. FTIR and NMR characterization confirm that PNIPAM was grafted onto PCL nanoparticles successfully. The resulting core-shell microgel shows thermosensitiveity, as its turbidity increases when heating above a critical temperature. The phase transition temperature drops in the presence of inorganic salt. In addition, particles aggregate as electrostatic repusion was screened. The thermosensitive core-shell microgel, which is partically biodegradable, may find application as injectable cell scaffold.

Keywords： nanoparticles thermosensitive graft polymerization