Frederick W. K. Kan

Preparation and purification of polyisohexylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules

Abstract Nanocapsules (200 nm diameter) were prepared by interfacial polymerization of isohexylcyanoacrylate in an oil-in-water emulsion. Sulphur dioxide was added to the monomer prior to its dissolution in the oil-ethanol phase in order to avoid immediate polymerization. Upon addition to the aqueous phase, interfacial polymerization occurred resulting in the formation of nanocapsules. The effect of different variables on nanocapsule size was evaluated. Miglyol concentration played a major role by controlling the size of emulsified droplets while SO 2 and pH only slightly affected nanocapsule size. Monomer concentration showed a significant effect on the density, indicating that polymeric walls of different thicknesses can be obtained. Finally, a purification method based on centrifugation and redispersion was developed.