One‐pot Formulation of Cationic Oligochitosan Coated Nanoparticles via Photo‐ Polymerization Induced Self‐Assembly

Abstract

AbstractDuring last few decades, oligochitosan (OCS)‐coated nanoparticles have received great interest for nanomedicine, food and environment applications. However, their current formulation techniques are time‐consuming with multi‐synthesis/purification steps and sometimes require the use of organic solvents, crosslinkers and surfactants. Herein, we report a facile and rapid one‐pot synthesis of OCS‐based nanoparticles using photo‐initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (Photo‐RAFT PISA) under UV‐irradiation at room temperature. To achieve this, OCS was first functionalized by a chain transfer agent (CTA) resulting in a macromolecular chain transfer agent (OCS‐CTA), which will act as a reactive electrostatic/steric stabilizer. Owing to its UV‐sensitivity, OCS‐CTA was then used as photo‐iniferter to initiate the polymerization of 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) in aqueous acidic buffer, resulting in OCS‐g‐PHPMA amphiphilic grafted copolymers which self‐assemble into nano‐objects. Transmission electron microscopy and light scattering analysis reveal formation of spherical nanostructures.