Effect of electric field pulses on the suspension of microcontainers based on organic polymer and magnetite nanoparticles

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Here, non-thermal effects induced in the suspension of hollow alginate silver microcontainers after application of short electric field pulses (about 1 ms) of high intensity (about 1 kV/cm) were studied as a prospective tool for remote activation of microcontainers. Alterations in microcontaner’s shells were studied as a function of their composition. Magnetic nanoparticles immobilized within microcontainer’s shells were found to enhance effects that occurred after application of electric field pulses. Alterations found in microcontaner’s shells can be further employed for remote activation of microcontainers and release of encapsulated cargo. Results: The obtained results are the basis for further research of multifunctional microcontainers based on an organic alginate matrix and inorganic metal nanoparticles of silver and magnetite as drug carriers, the permeability, and structure of which can be switched using a non-thermal pulsed electrical action. Conclusion: The proposed microcontainers can be employed as carriers in new effective systems for encapsulation, targeted delivery, and controlled release of various substances in aqueous media responsive towards electric and magnetic fields which are promising in a wide range of biomedical tasks and other applications.

Keywords

• hydrogel
• microspheres
• magnetite
• silver nanoparticles
• electric field