A Double-Emulsion Method for the Fabrication of PLA Single-Hole Hollow
Particles

Yanan      Li; Liyun      Zhang; Rui      Tian; Dicky      Pranantyo; Linfeng      Chen; Fan      Xia

Abstract

Background: Polymeric hollow particles with a single-hole structure have attracted broad interest due to their combined advantages of a hollow cavity and an opening hole in the shell.

Aim: In the past decades, much progress has been made in the fabrication of such particles with various strategies. However, there is a lack of research on the easy fabrication of biodegradable polylactide (PLA) single hole particles (PLA SHHPs).

Methods: In this work, we reported a simple double emulsion method for the fabrication of PLA SHHPs. The W/O/W double emulsion was formed by homogenizing PLA chloroform and brilliant blue G (BBG) solution. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used for the characterization. It was found that the concentrations of PLA chloroform and BBG solution both had a significant influence on the emulsion structure.

Results: PLA SHHPs with a percentage >85% were obtained from the emulsion composed of PLA chloroform (10.0 w%) and BBG solution (4 mM). The particle formation mechanism was also proposed based on the result of the low interfacial tension between PLA chloroform/BBG solution.

Conclusion: The results may inspire new development of PLA particles with unique structures, which are promising to be used in drug delivery, catalysis, microreaction and micromotors.

Keywords: Polylactide (PLA), brilliant blue G, double emulsion, hollow particles, open shells, single hole.

Graphical Abstract

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Current Chinese Science

A Double-Emulsion Method for the Fabrication of PLA Single-Hole Hollow Particles

Abstract

Graphical Abstract