Fabrication of Biodegradable Poly(Lactic Acid) Particles in Flow-Focusing Glass Capillary Devices

Goran T. Vladisavljević*, J. V. Henry, Wynter J. Duncanson, Ho C. Shum, David A. Weitz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Monodisperse poly(dl-lactic acid) (PLA) particles with a diameter in the range from 12 to 100 μm were fabricated in flow focusing glass capillary devices by evaporation of dichloromethane (DCM) from emulsions at room temperature. The dispersed phase was 5% (w/w) PLA in DCM containing a small amount of Nile red and the continuous phase was 5% (w/w) poly(vinyl alcohol) in reverse osmosis water. Particle diameter was 2.7 times smaller than the size of the emulsion droplet template indicating that the particle porosity was very low. SEM images revealed that the majority of particle pores are in the sub-micron region but in some instances these pores can reach 3 μm in diameter. Droplet diameter was influenced by the flow rates of the two phases and the entry diameter of the collection capillary tube; droplet diameters decreased with increasing values of the flow rate ratio of the dispersed to continuous phase to reach constant minimum values at 40-60% orifice diameter. At flow rate ratios less than 5, jetting can occur, giving rise to large droplets formed by detachment from relatively long jets (~10 times longer than droplet diameter). © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUK Colloids 2011
Subtitle of host publicationAn International Colloid and Surface Science Symposium
EditorsVictor Starov, Peter Griffiths
PublisherSpringer Berlin
Pages111-114
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-642-28974-3
ISBN (Print)978-3-642-28973-6, 978-3-662-50961-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventUK Colloids 2011: An International Colloid and Surface Science Symposium - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 4 Jun 20116 Jun 2011

Publication series

NameProgress in Colloid and Polymer Science
Volume139
ISSN (Print)0340-255X

Conference

ConferenceUK Colloids 2011
PlaceUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period4/06/116/06/11

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