PH-responsive nano-assemblies of amino poly(glycerol methacrylate)

Both linear and star-shaped poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) polymers were modified with different amines and used to prepare pH-sensitive nano-assemblies. Nanoprecipitation technique and dialysis method were used to prepare the polymeric nanoparticles. These nano-assemblies showed pH-sensitive disassociation properties under an acidic condition. The polymers were quite effective in encapsulation of Congo red (CR). Atom force microscopy images showed that the nanoparticles prepared using nanoprecipitation technique are spherical before and after encapsulation of CR. The disassociation pH, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and release properties of these polymers were found to depend on their backbone architecture and the amine type. By adjusting of these factors, such type of polymers hold promise as an interesting drug delivery vehicle.