Loading of polymer nanocarriers: Factors, mechanisms and applications

• Published in: Progress in polymer science Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 43 - 86
• Main Authors: Kowalczuk, Agnieszka, Trzcinska, Roza, Trzebicka, Barbara, Müller, Axel H.E., Dworak, Andrzej, Tsvetanov, Christo B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Loading; Mechanism; Miscellaneous; Nanocarriers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymeric nanoparticles; Technology of polymers; Polymeric nanoparticles; Nanocarriers; Loading; Mechanism; Dendrimer; Nanocapsule; Branched polymer; Nanoparticle; Control release polymer; Aromatic polymer; Micelle; Drug carrier; Review; Nanoencapsulation; Nanogel
• ISSN: 0079-6700; 1873-1619
• DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2013.10.004

The progress in synthetic polymer chemistry has allowed the precise design of hybrid and multifunctional colloidal particles, which differ in type, size and shape, thus enhancing their possible applications as target-oriented carriers of low and high molar mass active species. This survey discusses the basic principles and factors, associated with the process of loading of polymeric nanoparticles. For the purpose of this review, the polymeric nano-carriers are divided into five most studied types: micelles, nanogels, capsules (incl. vesicles), dendrimers, and hybrid nanoparticles with porous cores. Factors influencing the loading are described and their importance discussed. An important trend is the synthesis of multicompartment carriers for the encapsulation of different types of therapeutics. Special attention is focused on the loading of biomacromolecules.