Evaluation and characterization of PLA microspheres treated with sodium borohydride at different concentrations
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Nurfatihin Ali
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Abstract
Over the past 25 years much research has been focused on biodegradable polymer microspheres for drug delivery. Among various type of biodegradable polymers, poly(lactic) acid (PLA) is the most suitable to be used for drug delivery due to the fact that the monomers may produced from non-toxic renewable feedstock as well as is naturally occurring organic acid. Therefore, PLA is an eco-friendly product with better features for use in the human body (nontoxicity). However, the major drawback of PLA is its extremely hydrophobic properties which limit its application in drug delivery system. In order to overcome this problem, surface modification via alkaline hydrolysis has been made on PLA. This research investigated the effect of surface modification with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) at different concentrations, immersion times and temperatures on the properties of PLA microspheres. The enhancement of hydrophilicity of PLA microspheres has been evaluated using FTIR, SEM, contact angle and cross section. From these evaluations, it was found that the hydrophilicity of PLA microspheres had increased as the concentration of NaBH4, immersion time and temperature increased.