Nanoporous cyclodextrin-based co-polymeric microspheres for encapsulation of active components

Abstract

We have fabricated nanoporous polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH)–cyclodextrin co-polymeric microspheres using epichlorohydrin as a cross-linking agent. The structure and morphology of the microspheres were studied by optical and electron microscopy and FT-IR spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of cyclodextrin in the co-polymer. The encapsulating capability of these molecularly porous microspheres was tested by loading them with two fluorescing dyes whose localization within the microspheres was examined by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSM). We tested the capacity of the microspheres to remove surfactants such as cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) and organic dyes like Indophenol Blue from aqueous solutions. These results were confirmed using surface tension measurements and UV-vis spectroscopy. The CD-copolymeric microspheres showed significant capacity for encapsulation of molecules of varying polarities and different hydrophobicities, which makes them attractive for applications in a wide range of areas such as agrochemicals, water purification, pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, separation science and cosmetics.