Facile preparation of acid/CO₂ stimuli-responsive sheddable nanoparticles based on carboxymethylated chitosan

Abstract

The present study describes the facile preparation of acid/CO₂ stimuli-responsive sheddable nanoparticles based on carboxymethylated chitosan (CMCS). Commercially available CMCS was grafted with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) chains via an acid/CO₂ responsive linker, i.e., benzoic-imine, and then was used for the cross-linking with CaCl₂. With a high CMCS concentration up to 7 mg/mL, stable nanoparticles were successfully prepared. The particle size grew slightly with increasing the molecular weight of mPEG. When the concentration of CaCl₂ and the feed ratio of CMCS to mPEG increased, the particle size decreased at first and then increased after reaching a minimum size. When the particles were stimulated by CO₂ or acid, benzoic-imine cleaved quickly, and mPEG fell off the nanoparticles simultaneously, and then flocculation and precipitation occurred. These sheddable nanoparticles might have potential application in the biomedical field including the intelligent drug delivery system.

Keywords

carboxymethylated chitosan / nanoparticles / benzoic-imine / ionic cross-linking / acid-sensitivity

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