Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymeric Nanocapsules from Poly(α,β-malic acid)-Grafted Nano-silica Templates

Abstract

A green strategy for the preparation of biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric nanocapsules containing lots of functional carboxyl groups is developed by the surface polycondensation of alpha,beta-malic acid from silica nanoparticles as the sacrificial templates. After the poly(alpha,beta-malic acid) grafted silica nanoparticles are cross-linked with glycerol, the nano-silica templates are etched with hydrofluoric acid to produce the biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric nanocapsules. The hollow structure of the polymeric nanocapsules with an inner diameter about 20-100 nm is validated by transmission electron microscopy. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011