A novel method for PEGylation of chitosan nanoparticles through photopolymerization.

An ultrafast and convenient method for PEGylation of chitosan nanoparticles has been established through a photopolymerization reaction between the acrylate groups of PEG and methacrylated-chitosan nanoparticles. The nanoparticle characteristics under physiological pH conditions were optimized through altered PEG chain length, concentration and duration of UV exposure. The method developed here has potential for clinical translation of chitosan nanoparticles. It also allows for the scalable and fast synthesis of nanoparticles with colloidal stability.