Vesicle-Templated Polymerization, a Review

Abstract

Vesicle-templated polymerization has developed into a mature research area over the last 35 years. The main purpose of this approach was to produce hollow polymeric nanocapsules from low-cost chemicals, utilizing a simple emulsion-polymerization-like process. Over the years, understanding of the different varieties of the approach has grown. In retrospect, the characterization methods utilized to determine the morphologies are essential to draw the right conclusions. In this Review, first, an overview of the earlier attempts to produce nanocapsules with uniformous wall thickness will be given, looking at the results with the current understandings, greatly enhanced by quantification of the different morphologies through cryo-TEM images. The latest approach, reactive oligomer assisted transcriptive synthesis, seems to be able to fulfill the initial purpose and almost 100% of nanocapsule morphologies can be formed under the right conditions.

Enhanced Sunscreen Effects via Layer-By-Layer Self-Assembly of Chitosan/Sodium Alginate/Calcium Chloride/EHA

“…Unlike other methods, the nanocapsules prepared by LBL technology could be adjusted according to demands, such as controlled the diffusion rate by adjusted the thickness of wall, changed the shape by adjusted the pH and ionic strength of solutions, prepared multi component composite shell by used many kinds of materials [ 14 ]. However, it was necessary to prepare more than ten layers to construct the stable capsule [ 15 ]. The ionic emulsifier was used to emulsify sunscreen to prepare the charged droplets, and then adsorbed the wall on the surface of the droplet by layer self-assembly.…”

Synthesis of polymer-vesicle latex particles through an ATRP-based approach

“…The ATRP approach for vesicle polymerization fits in the overall pattern that has been seen for the RAFT approach, and the latter has been described in a recent review [27].…”

Nonspherical Nanocapsules as Long-Circulating Drug Delivery Systems

“…Further classification can characterize these methodologies as either sacrificial templation (template does not possess a void and must be removed after polymer shell formation) or nonsacrificial templation (template possess a void and does not need to be removed after polymer shell formation). These methods include nanoprecipitation, 12 emulsification, 13 polymer coating, 14 layer-by-layer, 15 and vesicle-templated methods, 16 as summarized in Table 1.…”

“…19−21 polymer is synthesized, often by free radical or RAFT polymerization, on the surface of the solid template, which is subsequently removed after formation of the polymer nonsacrificial templates small molecule surfactant liposomes or vesicles chemical hollow template (nonsacrificial) 16, 22−26 polymer is synthesized, often by free radical or RAFT polymerization, on the surface of the hollow template which does not have to be removed after formation of the polymer its precipitation at the solvent−water interface producing nanocapsules. In the emulsification method, the organic phase containing the polymer is emulsified under vigorous agitation in the aqueous phase and the subsequent addition of water causes the formation of nanocapsules, again at the solvent− water interface.…”