Microparticle Formation via Tri-needle Coaxial Electrospray at Stable Jetting Modes

Abstract

Multi-layered structured organic particles have had an extensive impact on a wide array of biomedical applications not limited to drug delivery, imaging and biosensing. A trineedle coaxial electrospraying system was utilized to engineer multi-layered polymeric particles in a one-step, facile process at ambient temperatures. The effect of the dominant processing parameters on the development of a conical cusp that eventually ejects an ultrathin liquid ligament were firstly explored here. Subsequently, the validation of the intermediate solutions that possessed different conductivities on stabilizing jetting modes and the resulting particle morphology was also investigated.Polycaprolactone (PCL) solutions with different molecular weights were selected as the outer layer using fluids with various conductivities. Five different formulations were studied as the intermediate layers: PCL in acetic acid, ethyl cellulose in acetic acid, ethyl cellulose in dichloromethane, ethyl cellulose in ethanol and silicone oil and polyvinyl pyrrolidone in water. The results systematically demonstrated that the processing parameters (type of polymer, polymer molecular weight, solution concentration, flow rate, applied voltage and collector distance) play a significant role in the formation of the stable Taylor cone. This study further identified that the coaxial arrangement of three needles successfully produced multi-layered microspheres with uniform size distribution.

Electrohydrodynamic atomisation driven design and engineering of opportunistic particulate systems for applications in drug delivery, therapeutics and pharmaceutics

“…Multi-layered particles have also been fabricated by the ES mode where the transition to a coaxial set up entails a seamless arrangement of three coaxial needles [94]. A novel device containing this experimental set up was reported by Ahmad et al, where multi-layered bubbles, gas encapsulated threads and nanocapsules were generated and hence highlighted the numerous prospects of tri-needle coaxial spinnerets for drug delivery devices [95].…”

Controlled engineering of multifunctional porous structures using tri-needle co-axial electrohydrodynamic flow and sacrificial media

“…To evaluate cytotoxicity of the tri-needle co-axial jetted porous structure, L929 cells were co-cultured with the structure for different time periods (10,24,72, and 120 hours).…”

“…The diameter and surface morphology of generated particles can be regulated by process parameters (e.g. flow rate, applied voltage and collector distance) [24,25]. Particulate structures exhibiting multi-compartments have been loaded with a variety of drugs, including combinations where miscibility is often problematic.…”

Application of Electrosprayed Nanoparticles as Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: A Mini Review

“…Meanwhile, these two issues were addressed via encapsulating this material in core-shell structures fabricated through a coaxial electrospray system [24]. Yao et al [25] utilized a three coaxial needle to produce multilayer microspheres and evaluated the effect of the intermediate layer on the resulting particles. Based on the obtained results, using the PCL/HAc and ethyl cellulose/HAc could lead to the fabrication of homogenous microspheres due to the formation of a stable jet during the electrospray procedure.…”