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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2013 Publication Date: 5/16/2013 Citation: Kim, S., Biswas, A., Evans, K.O. 2013. Protein-based nanoparticles for hydrophilic coating. Meeting Abstract. xx. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Cyanoacrylate nanoparticles have been studied in great detail over the past three decades with a view to their use as controlled release drug delivery materials. Their ease of production was first shown in 1979 by Couvreur et al. [1], who demonstrated that sub-micron sized particles could be made by the dispersion of alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer in a low pH solution containing an emulsifier. The mechanism of polymerization is anionic where the initiating species is the hydroxyl anion that was derived from dissociation of water. In the current research, amine groups on the surface of protein molecules (an animal protein, bovine serum albumin and a cereal protein, gliadin) are utilized as initiator for the polymerization. Reaction occurs on the surface of protein aggregates dispersed in the reaction medium. As cyanoacrylate monomers are added, hydrophobic poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate)(PECA) chains grow on the surface of protein molecules which are hydrophilic. Since protein molecules have multiple reaction sites, this reaction yields protein molecules with several PECA chains grafted on their surfaces. Therefore, the resultant copolymer is amphiphilic in nature and belongs to star copolymer. Unless the length of PECA chain is too long to be stabilized in the solvent medium, the produced star copolymers form stable nanoparticle suspensions. For the characterization of the produced nanoparticles, Dynamic Light Scattering, Quartz Crystal Microbalance, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Dynamic Contact Angle analyses were utilized. The suspension containing these nanoparticles showed an excellent coating capability on the surface of hydrophobic materials. As an example, a demonstration photo is shown in Fig. 1. The surface of polycarbonate plastic was coated with developed nanoparticles, sprinkled with a water sprayer, and the wetting behavior was compared. A simple spray coating changed the wetting property of the material instantly and dramatically. When the coating was applied to solid surfaces like glass, it spread out, preventing the beading of water. Near-term application includes solar panels and side-windows on vehicles which have no wipers. This technology, applicable to the manufacturing of glass-window cleaners, is expected to show superiority over current, commercially available cleaners. Since both protein and PECA are degradable polymers, the developed nanoparticles are degradable. [1] Couvreur P, Kante B, Roland M, Guiot P, Bauduin P, Speiser P. Polycyanoacrylate nanocapsules as potential lysosomotropic carriers: preparation,morphological and sorptive properties. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1979;31:331. |
