Polymeric Nanoparticles and Nanogels for Extraction and Release of Compounds
First Claim
1. A method of preparing polymeric nanoparticles, comprising:
- (a) solubilizing one or more nonionic and ionic surfactants, or a combination thereof, in organic solvent;
(b) introducing at least one polymerizing reagent to the solution of step (a) to form a reaction mixture;
(c) purging oxygen from the reaction mixture of step (b);
(d) exposing the purged reaction mixture of step (c) to gamma (γ
) radiation for a time sufficient to crosslink nanoparticles formed in the reaction mixture; and
(e) precipitating the crosslinked nanoparticles from the reaction mixture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles and nanogels, which can contain, deliver, and/or release one or more active agents, such as biologically active molecules or fragrance molecules, and methods of preparing the polymeric nanoparticles and nanogels. The nanoparticles are crosslinked utilizing radiation (g-radiation) as the catalyst for free radical polymerization (see FIG. 1) rather than by toxic chemical means. The nanoparticles and nanogels can be modified, without limitation, with hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or ionic groups or moieties. or with enzymes. Methods of preparing nanoparticles and nanogels containing or encapsulating a variety of molecules, including biologically active molecules and fragrance molecules, are provided.
20 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A method of preparing polymeric nanoparticles, comprising:
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(a) solubilizing one or more nonionic and ionic surfactants, or a combination thereof, in organic solvent; (b) introducing at least one polymerizing reagent to the solution of step (a) to form a reaction mixture; (c) purging oxygen from the reaction mixture of step (b); (d) exposing the purged reaction mixture of step (c) to gamma (γ
) radiation for a time sufficient to crosslink nanoparticles formed in the reaction mixture; and(e) precipitating the crosslinked nanoparticles from the reaction mixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of releasing a fragrance, comprising:
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(a) hydrophobically modifying a polymeric nanoparticle; (b) incorporating a fragrance molecule within the hydrophobically modified nanoparticle; and (c) releasing the fragrance from the nanoparticle. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of releasing a biologically active molecule, comprising:
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(a) hydrophobically modifying a polymeric nanoparticle; (b) incorporating a biologically active molecule within the hydrophobically modified nanoparticle; and (c) releasing the biologically active molecule from the nanoparticle. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 56, 57)
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38. A method of preparing a functionally modified polymeric nanoparticle, comprising:
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(a) solubilizing one or more nonionic and ionic surfactants, or a combination thereof, in organic solvent; (b) introducing (i) at least one polymerizing monomer reagent and (ii) a linking reagent to the solution of step (a) to form a reaction mixture; (c) purging oxygen from the reaction mixture of step (b); (d) exposing the purged reaction mixture of step (c) to gamma (γ
) radiation for a time sufficient to crosslink nanoparticles formed in the reaction mixture;(e) introducing a functional group or molecule into the reaction mixture; and (f) precipitating the crosslinked and functionally modified nanoparticles from the reaction mixture. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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58. A method of preparing hydrophobically modified polymeric nanoparticles, comprising:
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(a) solubilizing one or more nonionic and ionic surfactants, or a combination thereof, in organic solvent; (b) introducing (i) at least one polymerizing monomer reagent and (ii) a linking reagent to the solution of step (a) to form a reaction mixture; (c) purging oxygen from the reaction mixture of step (b); (d) exposing the purged reaction mixture of step (c) to gamma (γ
) radiation for a time sufficient to crosslink nanoparticles formed in the reaction mixture;(e) introducing a hydrophobic functional group or molecule into the reaction mixture; and (f) precipitating the crosslinked and hydrophobically modified nanoparticles from the reaction mixture. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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Specification