Session: Research Posters

Paper Number: 112967

112967 - Synthesis and Characterization of Polylactic Acid Microspheres via Emulsion Based Processing 

Polylactic acid (PLA), a material of interest in this research, is a class of biodegradable and biocompatible polyester. PLA has garnered significant attention in recent decades, particularly in biomedical applications [3], pharmaceutical applications, and drug delivery applications, owing to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. PLA, being a thermoplastic, is also used in packaging for bottling, plastic films, shrink wrapping, etc. PLA can be mass-produced on a large scale and is commercially available in a wide range of molecular weights. This aliphatic polyester can be synthesized using different precursors, but the ring-opening polymerization of lactide is prominent among these. 

Polymeric microspheres are prevalent in several applications. They are used as absorbents, latex diagnostics, affinity bio-separators, pore formers, and drug and enzyme applications. The choice of polymer for microsphere formation is dependent on its intended purpose. In biologically related applications, for instance, the polymers must have suitable biocompatibility, bioavailability, biodegradability, and non-immunogenicity. In industrial packaging applications, properties such as gas permeability are desirable. Ideally, the polymers must be soluble and miscible in various solvents. In drug delivery applications, the drug to be encapsulated within the core of a polymer and the polymer itself must be soluble in the same precursor solvent; hence, compatibility with more than a few solvents becomes a prime factor for consideration. Polymer microspheres must also possess the desirable thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties for the given application. Among the homopolymers studied, polylactic acid (PLA) exhibit properties that make them preferable across several applications. 

Polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres are primarily used in drug delivery applications and rarely manufactured commercially. In encapsulation, the drug encapsulation and microsphere synthesis process happen simultaneously. Simultaneous synthesis necessitates conditions that ensure the drugs to be encapsulated remain viable in the synthesis process. In the present work, solid pure PLA microspheres are prepared using a repeatable centrifugal mixing method to create a single emulsion system. A planetary thinky mixer is used to achieve centrifugal mixing. PLA acts as the dispersed phase of the emulsion, whereas Polyvinyl alcohol (emulsifier) dissolved in deionized water serves as the bulk phase. The emulsions are stirred for about 4 minutes at 2000 rpm. Microspheres prepared by mechanical mixing are compared with microspheres prepared by centrifugal mixing. The microspheres prepared by centrifugal mixing proved to be narrower and closer to a normal distribution with a mean size (D_x 50) of 30 microns. The size distribution of planetary mixed microspheres did not change from one batch to another. 

Presenting Author: Ransford Damptey Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

Presenting Author Biography: Ransford K. Damptey grew up in Accra, capital of Ghana, West Africa. Ransford had his primary education in Ghana (K through 12), before moving to the United States to join his family as well as further his education. Interested in pursuing a career in engineering academia, Ransford pursued a Chemical Engineering bachelors degree at North Carolina State University while actively involved in research. Ransford taught a middle school Mathematics at Welborn Academy of Science and Technology before returning to graduate school at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to pursue a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. During his first year of graduate school with the Chemical Engineering department, Ransford was a teaching assistant, and a research assistant during his second year as a graduate student with the Civil Engineering department. Ransford obtained his M.Sc. in Chemical engineering in 2018 and will be graduating with his doctorate in Nanoengineering in Spring of 2023.

Authors:

Ransford Damptey Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
Sabrina Torres Kansas City National Security Campus
Laura Cummings Kansas City National Security Campus
Ram Mohan Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering