Improved preparation and physical studies of polybutylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules

An improved method for the preparation of alkylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules i s proposed that involves the intermediate synthesis of a well defined adduc t of a single monomer unit to an ethanol molecule. It leads to thinner caps ule walls and, generally, to a more reproducible capsule structure. The che mical composition of the intermediate organic phase has been studied by nuc lear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The morphology and size of resulting structures is analysed, applying analytical ultracentrifugation and light m icroscopic particle tracking. The sizes of capsules prepared in the describ ed manner depend on the concentrations of the oil and the monomer component s, as is shown by the results of a set of experiments following a simple fa ctorial design.