Polymeric nanoparticles, manufacturing methods

The key objective of this chapter is to provide comprehensive information about the nanoprecipitation method to form polymeric nanoparticles. It provides crucial factors, such as the type of components used and processing conditions (e.g., addition rate of various components and mixing time) that are involved in nanoprecipitation. The chapter comprises a brief discussion on the parameters affecting the size of the nanoparticles and the mechanism of nanoparticle formations. Additionally, the different semps used to mix the phases and the recent advancements in the manufacturing techniques are discussed. Finally, the biomedical applications of the nanoprecipitation technique are conversed. 

Nanoparticles of synthetic polymers are usually manufactured by dispersion of preformed polymers. Although many methods can be used, they may be classified as monomer polymerization, nanoprecipitation, emulsion diffusion/solvent evaporation, and salting out. An appropriate method is selected mainly depending on polymer and drug natures. Polymerization of polymer monomers has been developed usually using poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) [96,97]. Organic solvents are usually used in polymerization. A detailed description of this method is not provided here. 

Table 2 Methods of Manufacturing Polymeric or Protein Nanoparticles Method...

Metal-containing polymers may be produced by various methods, such as chemical reactions of precursors— in particular, reactions of metal salts in polymer solutions, the treatment of polymers with metal vapors, or the polymerization of various metal-monomer systems [1-4], Depending on the metal nature and the polymer structure, these processes lead to organometallic units incorporated into polymer chains, metal-polymer complexes, or metal clusters and nanoparticles physically connected with polymer matrix. Of special interest are syntheses with the use of metal vapors. In this case, metal atoms or clusters are not protected by complexones or solvate envelopes and consequently have specific high reactivity. It should be noted that the apparatus and principles of metal vapor synthesis techniques are closely related to many industrial processes with participation of atomic and molecular species [5]—for example, manufacturing devices for microelectronic from different metals and metal containing precursors [6]. Vapor synthesis methods employ varying metals and... 

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