Formulating nanoparticles by flash nanoprecipitation for drug delivery and sustained release

This dissertation provides a fundamental understanding of the process for generating nanoparticles with controlled size distribution and of predicting nanoparticle stability for drug delivery and sustained release. We developed and characterized a novel technology to generate organic and inorganic nanoparticles protected by biocompatible and biodegradable polymers with precisely controlled size and size distribution. Computational fluid mechanics (CFD) together with experimental results provided details of the micromixing in the mixer. The particle size dependence on Reynolds number and supersaturation was illustrated.; The study of the fundamental mass transfer phenomena leading to Ostwald ripening enables quantitative prediction of the time evolution of nanoparticles with monodistribution and relatively broader multi-distribution using beta-carotene and polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) as a model system.; Negatively charged latex particles were used to exam the attachment of the diblock copolymer, PS-b-PEO, on the surface. The stability provided by the Columbic repulsion was replaced by steric stabilization. The attachment of the block copolymers on the surface of the colloids depends on the flow field, i.e. Reynolds number, of the mixing process. The slow degradation of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(gamma-methyl-epsilon-caprolactone) (PMCL) was demonstrated. The slow degradation ensures long-term stability and long-term blood circulation of the polymeric nanoparticles.; As a practical application, we formulate the anti-tuberculosis drug, rifampicin, into nanoparticles by conjugation to other hydrophobic molecules (such as vitamin E, PCL and 2-ethylhexyl vinyl ether) by pH sensitive cleavable chemical bonds to increase the drug loading, return stability of the nanoparticle suspension, and control drug release. The in vitro release profiles were provided by using HPLC and E.coli growth inhibition on LB agar plates. The prodrug nanoparticle suspensions were spray dried to form low density porous micro-particles for the purpose of aerosol drug delivery. The simultaneous encapsulation of imaging agents and therapeutic agents provides a method for studying the fate of nanoparticles and for medical imaging with treatment.; As another example, bifenthrin nanoparticle suspensions with various stabilizers were formulated. The pesticide, bifenthrin, was used to test whether nanoparticles provided an advantage in increasing the effectiveness of pesticide formulations. Larvae mortality with the application of nanoparticle suspension was about 2.5 times of the mortality with the application of bifenthrin mineral oil solution. Nanoparticles at very low bifenthrin concentration showed sustained release for fourteen days.