Formulation and surface modification of poly(ester-anhydride) micro- and nanospheres

This report presents the formulation and surface modification of poly(ester-anhydride) copolymers. Two synthetic schemes were used to generate a variety of copolymers with varying compositions and molecular weights. These polymers were formulated into both micro- and nanospheres using a water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion technique. Microspheres were between 3 and 10 μm in diameter; whereas, nanospheres were between 300 and 500 nm. Finally, both micro- and nanospheres were surface modified using cystamine and quantified, following cystamine reduction, with DTNB (Ellman's reagent). Surface labeling was observed at 0.20-35 μmol/g for microspheres and 0.6-100 μmol/g for nanospheres and followed the expected trend of increased labeling with increased polyanhydride content.