While preparing a drug loaded polyelectrolyte complex nano/micro particles using two oppositely charged polymers, the particle starts forming after the addition of second polymer (precipitation occurs). So can we sonicate the particles after this step to form nanoparticles? or will it lead to deterioration/breakdown of the particles?
dear Bably Khatun;
The most important parameters that describe Ultrasonic processing are amplitude, pressure, temperature, viscosity, and concentration. these parameters effect on the resulted Nano particle size. for more details can read the following reference;
Ultrasonic Production of Nano-Size Dispersions and Emulsions
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00166996/document
Dear Bably,
As previously mentioned by Mahmood the ultrasonic process depends on several factors such as amplitude, pressure, temperature, viscosity, and concentration. Sonication can definitively break small aggregates formed in solution. However, if you want to avoid the clustering of your preparation, I also suggest to better investigate the chemical properties of your components to create a more suitable condition of your buffer considering for instance pH, ionic strength and temperature.
Paolo Passaretti By (generally accepted) definition sonication can disrupt agglomerates but not aggregates. Sonication can cause small particles to come together (if the zeta potential is inadequate) as the collision frequency is increased. Other untoward effects can occur. See:
June 20th, 2013 Ultrasound, cavitation, and the singing kettle
http://tinyurl.com/olueohz
@Alan F Rawle thank you very much for your presentation. I inappropriately used the word aggregates while I meant agglomerates :)
Yes, from my experience the US sonication and dispersion causes breakage of the nanotubes
In addition to what is already said I would add the next item. If I understood you correctly your particles consist of two electrostatically bound polyelectrolytes. In case of the electrolytes with multiple charges this complex is obviously quite stable. Therefore, if the particles are not agglomerated you will not have deterioration/breakdown of the particles in case of not severe ultrasonication conditions. I mean it can depend on frequency and power of the applied ultrasound bath/generator as well as on the time of this treatment. Remember also that during this treatment the sample will be heated. Finally, as usual), you have to check an influence of the ultrasonication parameters on the complex particles.
Thank you Alexander Pud Sir. You got it right. The particles are formed as a result of electrostatic interaction between two oppositely charged polymers. I have no problem with breakdown of agglomeration, infact particles should not be agglomerated. But What I was worried about is the release of the drug due to breakdown of drug encapsulated particles (which should not happen) which may lead to less loading and encapsulation efficiency
Dear Bably Khatun,
Your worry is reasonable. Indeed, there is a probability of degradation of your complex as ultrasonic degradation (breakdown) of polymers up to their cross-linking is the well-known fact e.g. :
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225803535_Ultrasonic_degradation_of_polymers_in_solution
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350417710002178
I just can repeat that to minimize or avoid this problem you have to check an influence of the ultrasonication parameters on the complex particles and obviously on the separated polymers .
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