Thermo-sensitive microparticles of PNIPAM-grafted ethylcellulose by spray-drying method.

The thermo-sensitive polymer, PNIPAM-grafted ethylcellulose, was synthesized and it was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy that PNIPAM was successfully grafted onto ethylcellulose. Microparticles were prepared by the spray-drying method using a B-191 Mini Spray Dryer. Their morphology, observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showed irregular spheres with rugged surfaces, and narrow size distribution. In a model delivery system, ethylcelullose-g-PNIPAM was used as the polymer wall material and allopurinol was used as the model drug. The release rate of allopurinol from ECGPN8 microparticles was slower at 40 degrees C (above the LCST) than that of 25 degrees C (below the LCST), probably due to the collapse of PNIPAM chains by temperature. Although PNIPAM was the large part of wall material, the thermo-sensitive release behavior was not so obvious. It is believed that the release of allopurinol from the microparticles is more dependent on the porous structure of microparticles than the conformational change of PNIPAM, created by the rapid evaporation of solvent during the spray-drying process.