Effect of preparation conditions on the size of nanoparticles based on poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) synthesized with bismuth subsalicylate

Spherical nano-sized particles of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) with molar composition of D,L-lactide and glycolide 75:25 mol.% synthesized with non-toxic catalyst bismuth subsalicylate were produced by a nanoprecipitation method. The effect of the formulation parameters (i.e. concentrations of PLGA in the organic phase and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in the aqueous phase) on the average hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index and electrokinetic potential of the PLGA particles was revealed. A formation mechanism of the PLGA particles based on the nucleation and aggregation model was proposed and supported by experimental data. Steric and electrokinetic stabilization factors of the PLGA particles were analyzed and discussed.

Automated summary

This study synthesized spherical nano-sized particles of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) using a non-toxic catalyst and a nanoprecipitation method. The effect of formulation parameters on the properties of PLGA particles was investigated. The formation mechanism and stabilization factors of the PLGA particles were proposed and analyzed.