Issue 1, 2021

Microfluidics for core–shell drug carrier particles – a review

Abstract

Core–shell drug-carrier particles are known for their unique features. Due to the combination of superior properties not exhibited by the individual components, core–shell particles have gained a lot of interest. The structures could integrate core and shell characteristics and properties. These particles were designed for controlled drug release in the desired location. Therefore, the side effects would be minimized. So, these particles' advantages have led to the introduction of new methods and ideas for their fabrication. In the past few years, the generation of drug carrier core–shell particles in microfluidic chips has attracted much attention. This method makes it possible to produce particles at nanometer and micrometer levels of the same shape and size; it usually costs less than other methods. The other advantages of using microfluidic techniques compared to conventional bulk methods are integration capability, reproducibility, and higher efficiency. These advantages have created a positive outlook on this approach. This review gives an overview of the various fluidic concepts that are used to generate microparticles or nanoparticles. Also, an overview of traditional and more recent microfluidic devices and their design and structure for the generation of core–shell particles is given. The unique benefits of the microfluidic technique for core–shell drug carrier particle generation are demonstrated.

Graphical abstract: Microfluidics for core–shell drug carrier particles – a review

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
09 okt 2020
Accepted
07 dec 2020
First published
23 dec 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2021,11, 229-249

Microfluidics for core–shell drug carrier particles – a review

S. Yazdian Kashani, A. Afzalian, F. Shirinichi and M. Keshavarz Moraveji, RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 229 DOI: 10.1039/D0RA08607J

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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