Polycationic nanoparticles synthesized using ARGET ATRP for drug delivery.

This work provides a systemic comparison for ARGET ATRP and UV-initiated polycationic nanoparticles for drug delivery and a guide to deciding which type of polycationic nanoparticles have the best properties for specific applications. Polycationic nanoparticles were synthesized using a previously developed UV-initiated photoemulsion polymerization or a newly developed ARGET ATRP synthesis technique. The effect of the ratio of hydrophobic monomer in the feed was evaluated. Increasing the feed ratio of hydrophobic monomer was necessary to maintain biocompatibility and pH-responsive membrane disruptive characteristics when switching from the UV-initiated polymerization to ARGET ATRP. The resulting polycationic nanoparticles have utility as drug delivery carriers for hydrophobic drugs and/or nucleic acids.