High-gravity-assisted Fabrication of Self-assembled Colloidosomes

Colloidosomes are widely applied in drug delivery systems on account of their outstanding biocompatibility and stimuli response. Herein, a novel and environmentally friendly approach is presented for efficiently fabricating colloidosomes by high-gravity technology, which is not only favorable for controllable latex particle size and large-scale production but also makes it avoidable to use a great deal of organic solvents. First, the latex particles as shell materials with a range of 47–62 nm are controllably prepared using high-gravity-assisted pre-emulsification for emulsion polymerization. Because of this pre-emulsification, the polymerization time is greatly shortened from 4 to 1 h, and the mean particle diameter is reduced by about 29%. In addition, the self-assembly of latex particles forming into colloidosomes is achieved using high-gravity technology. Compared with the preparation process in a conventional high-speed shearing machine, the colloidosomes prepared with the high-gravity self-assembly process have a decreased size of 3.5 to 2 μm and a narrower size distribution. Furthermore, an anticancer drug of doxorubicin hydrochloride is in situ encapsulated into the colloidosomes, displaying excellent controllable release properties.