Iranian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology 10163255 37 3 2024 08 22 Waterborne Polyurethanes Enriched with Graphene-Based Nanostructures: Fabrication, Properties, and Exploring Their Anti-Corrosion Performance Waterborne Polyurethanes Enriched with Graphene-Based Nanostructures: Fabrication, Properties, and Exploring Their Anti-Corrosion Performance 2082 10.22063/jipst.2025.3625.2315 FA Abbas Mohammadi Department of Organic Chemistry and Polymer, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, Postal Code 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0002-5426-914X Amirhossein Doctorsafaei Department of Organic Chemistry and Polymer, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, Postal Code 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran Mohammadreza Ghodsiyeh Department of Organic Chemistry and Polymer, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, Postal Code 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2024 05 06 Metal corrosion poses a global threat, causing significant economical and environmental damage in various industries. Extensive research has been conducted to develop efficient and cost-effective solutions to prevent corrosion while adhering to environmental regulations. Recently, waterborne polyurethanes prepared by dispersing polyurethanes in water through various methods, have been increasingly used for coating various surfaces due to their advantages such as low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), environmental compatibility, low viscosity, rapid coating capability, and low production cost. Waterborne polyurethane coatings are considered suitable for anti-corrosion applications due to their mechanical strength, flexibility, high abrasion resistance, and the ability to design structures and incorporate various nanoparticles. Recent research has shown that graphene-based nanostructures, such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), are used as corrosion-inhibiting nanostructures in the formulation of anticorrosion coatings due to their high surface area and resistance to oxygen, water, and corrosive agents. Incorporating these nanostructures into waterborne polyurethanes has enhanced the anti-corrosion properties of the resulting coatings. However, the application of these nanostructures in waterborne polyurethane matrices faces limitations such as non-uniform dispersion, low stability of aqueous dispersions and the formation of agglomerates. This review paper elucidates the phenomenon of corrosion and various anti-corrosion testing methods, introducing waterborne polyurethanes and graphene-based nanostructures. Subsequently, it reviews related articles on the preparation of waterborne polyurethane coatings containing different graphene-based nanostructures and their anti-corrosion performance. Additionally recent advancements in the development of waterborne polyurethane/graphene-based nanostructure anti-corrosion coatings with specific structural features, such as selfhealing and ultraviolet curing capabilities, are examined. Furthermore, multi-functional anti-corrosion coatings with properties like anti-fouling, superhydrophobicity, and antibacterial characteristics for specific applications are described. Metal corrosion poses a global threat, causing significant economical and environmental damage in various industries. Extensive research has been conducted to develop efficient and cost-effective solutions to prevent corrosion while adhering to environmental regulations. Recently, waterborne polyurethanes prepared by dispersing polyurethanes in water through various methods, have been increasingly used for coating various surfaces due to their advantages such as low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), environmental compatibility, low viscosity, rapid coating capability, and low production cost. Waterborne polyurethane coatings are considered suitable for anti-corrosion applications due to their mechanical strength, flexibility, high abrasion resistance, and the ability to design structures and incorporate various nanoparticles. Recent research has shown that graphene-based nanostructures, such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), are used as corrosion-inhibiting nanostructures in the formulation of anticorrosion coatings due to their high surface area and resistance to oxygen, water, and corrosive agents. Incorporating these nanostructures into waterborne polyurethanes has enhanced the anti-corrosion properties of the resulting coatings. However, the application of these nanostructures in waterborne polyurethane matrices faces limitations such as non-uniform dispersion, low stability of aqueous dispersions and the formation of agglomerates. This review paper elucidates the phenomenon of corrosion and various anti-corrosion testing methods, introducing waterborne polyurethanes and graphene-based nanostructures. Subsequently, it reviews related articles on the preparation of waterborne polyurethane coatings containing different graphene-based nanostructures and their anti-corrosion performance. Additionally recent advancements in the development of waterborne polyurethane/graphene-based nanostructure anti-corrosion coatings with specific structural features, such as selfhealing and ultraviolet curing capabilities, are examined. Furthermore, multi-functional anti-corrosion coatings with properties like anti-fouling, superhydrophobicity, and antibacterial characteristics for specific applications are described.

http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2082_46be19b9765756f1655e7ddc7eced646.pdf

Iranian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology 10163255 37 3 2024 08 22 Development of Nanofibrous Membranes Equipped with a Self-Cleaning Surface Using SiO2 Nanoparticles and Fluorosilane-Based Compound Development of Nanofibrous Membranes Equipped with a Self-Cleaning Surface Using SiO2 Nanoparticles and Fluorosilane-Based Compound 2079 10.22063/jipst.2025.3679.2330 FA Ali Ghodsi Department of Textile Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran Hossein Fashandi Department of Textile Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0002-9830-0284 Journal Article 2024 07 02 Hypothesis: Today, nanofibrous membranes equipped with self-cleaning surfaces inspired by the leaves of the water lily have drawn considerable attention due to their ability to repel water and contaminants. Various methods can create self-cleaning surfaces, with electrospinning attracting considerable attention Methods: Employing various strategies in electrospinning, including (1) electrospinning of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) (15% w/w), (2) electrospinning of PVDF with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS-13) (2% v/v) (3) electrospinning of PVDF and then electrospraying of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (25% w/w with respect to the polymer weight), and (4) electrospinning of PVDF and then electrospraying of SiO2 nanoparticles with FAS-13, nanofibrous membranes were prepared. FESEM and EDX spectroscopy analyses were employed to observe the nanofibers surface morphology and investigate nanoparticles distribution on their surfaces, respectively. Additionally, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy (number of scans: 16) was considered to analyze the chemical structure of the samples. The contact angle measurement and release of water droplet on the membrane surface were also used to demonstrate the wetting and self-cleaning properties of the surfaces Findings: Initially, the presence of desired elements in the produced membrane structure was verified using EDX and FTIR tests. The water contact angle on the surface of pristine membrane was measured as 123.4 ± 1.4, which increased to 133.8 ± 1.4 after the addition of FAS-13 to the polymer solution due to the fluorine chains in the FAS-13 structure. Furthermore, after electrospraying of SiO2 nanoparticles on the membrane surface, the water contact angle increased to 141.6 ± 1.9. Finally, the addition of FAS-13 to the dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles and its electrospray on the membrane surface resulted in a super-hydrophobic surface with water contact angle of 151.8 ± 3. The results indicated that the simultaneous coating of SiO2 nanoparticles and FAS-13 on the nanofibrous membrane surface led to significantly enhanced hydrophobicity compared to the pristine sample. Moreover, this surface exhibited excellent self-cleaning properties Hypothesis: Today, nanofibrous membranes equipped with self-cleaning surfaces inspired by the leaves of the water lily have drawn considerable attention due to their ability to repel water and contaminants. Various methods can create self-cleaning surfaces, with electrospinning attracting considerable attention Methods: Employing various strategies in electrospinning, including (1) electrospinning of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) (15% w/w), (2) electrospinning of PVDF with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS-13) (2% v/v) (3) electrospinning of PVDF and then electrospraying of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (25% w/w with respect to the polymer weight), and (4) electrospinning of PVDF and then electrospraying of SiO2 nanoparticles with FAS-13, nanofibrous membranes were prepared. FESEM and EDX spectroscopy analyses were employed to observe the nanofibers surface morphology and investigate nanoparticles distribution on their surfaces, respectively. Additionally, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy (number of scans: 16) was considered to analyze the chemical structure of the samples. The contact angle measurement and release of water droplet on the membrane surface were also used to demonstrate the wetting and self-cleaning properties of the surfaces Findings: Initially, the presence of desired elements in the produced membrane structure was verified using EDX and FTIR tests. The water contact angle on the surface of pristine membrane was measured as 123.4 ± 1.4, which increased to 133.8 ± 1.4 after the addition of FAS-13 to the polymer solution due to the fluorine chains in the FAS-13 structure. Furthermore, after electrospraying of SiO2 nanoparticles on the membrane surface, the water contact angle increased to 141.6 ± 1.9. Finally, the addition of FAS-13 to the dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles and its electrospray on the membrane surface resulted in a super-hydrophobic surface with water contact angle of 151.8 ± 3. The results indicated that the simultaneous coating of SiO2 nanoparticles and FAS-13 on the nanofibrous membrane surface led to significantly enhanced hydrophobicity compared to the pristine sample. Moreover, this surface exhibited excellent self-cleaning properties

http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2079_9971fe158b33f46d2f45da5b2f81e954.pdf

Iranian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology 10163255 37 3 2024 08 22 Synthesis of Photocatalytic Adsorption Membrane with Manganese Doped-ZnO Nanoparticle for Removal of Cr(VI) Synthesis of Photocatalytic Adsorption Membrane with Manganese Doped-ZnO Nanoparticle for Removal of Cr(VI) 2078 10.22063/jipst.2024.2963.2089 FA Fatemeh Doagoo Department of Chemical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Post Code 47148-71167Babol, Iran Majid Peyravi Department of Chemical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Shariati Ave., Babol, Iran, Post Code:47148-71167 Soodabeh Khalili Department of Chemical, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, National University of Skills, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2021 10 28 Hypothesis: Discharge of heavy metals into water effluents poses irreparable risks that must be necessarily removed. Although existing membrane technologies such as nanofiltration have played an important role in the removal of heavy metals due to their pore size, the concern raised by fouling in this process is considerable. On the contrary, due to the large pore size of the ultrafiltration membranes, the fouling phenomenon is small, but their ability to remove heavy metals is limited. Therefore, by the combination of absorption and ultrafiltration process in the form of photocatalytic absorption membrane, the advantages of these methods can be obtained simultaneously Methods: At first, polymeric ultrafiltration membrane was synthesized by phase inversion method. The photocatalytic nanoparticles synthesized as adsorbent were coated on the surface of the ultrafiltration membrane by a chitosan solution. In the next step, adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) were investigated in continuous and batch systems. On the other hand, the antifouling property of the synthesized membrane was examined in a dead-end system by sodium alginate. PL, FTIR and XRD analyses were performed to confirm the synthesis of photocatalytic nanoparticles, while EDX FE-SEM and contact angle analyses were used to identify the morphology of the synthesized adsorption membrane Findings:The outcomes demonstrated that the addition of photocatalytic ZnO nanoparticles doped with Mg improved chromium removal performance from 39% to 70% and 77.8% under visible light and ultraviolet radiation, respectively. On the other hand, the addition of nanoparticles reduced the hydrophilicity of the membrane due to the lattice and wall-like structure of Mg-doped ZnO and thus reduced the amount of permeation flux from 53 to 33 and 28 L/m2h under visible and ultraviolet irradiation. Hypothesis: Discharge of heavy metals into water effluents poses irreparable risks that must be necessarily removed. Although existing membrane technologies such as nanofiltration have played an important role in the removal of heavy metals due to their pore size, the concern raised by fouling in this process is considerable. On the contrary, due to the large pore size of the ultrafiltration membranes, the fouling phenomenon is small, but their ability to remove heavy metals is limited. Therefore, by the combination of absorption and ultrafiltration process in the form of photocatalytic absorption membrane, the advantages of these methods can be obtained simultaneously Methods: At first, polymeric ultrafiltration membrane was synthesized by phase inversion method. The photocatalytic nanoparticles synthesized as adsorbent were coated on the surface of the ultrafiltration membrane by a chitosan solution. In the next step, adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) were investigated in continuous and batch systems. On the other hand, the antifouling property of the synthesized membrane was examined in a dead-end system by sodium alginate. PL, FTIR and XRD analyses were performed to confirm the synthesis of photocatalytic nanoparticles, while EDX FE-SEM and contact angle analyses were used to identify the morphology of the synthesized adsorption membrane Findings:The outcomes demonstrated that the addition of photocatalytic ZnO nanoparticles doped with Mg improved chromium removal performance from 39% to 70% and 77.8% under visible light and ultraviolet radiation, respectively. On the other hand, the addition of nanoparticles reduced the hydrophilicity of the membrane due to the lattice and wall-like structure of Mg-doped ZnO and thus reduced the amount of permeation flux from 53 to 33 and 28 L/m2h under visible and ultraviolet irradiation.

http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2078_370d1097999e08516cb150f68961dda1.pdf

Iranian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology 10163255 37 3 2024 08 22 Investigating the Effect of Monomer Ratio and Reaction Solvent Mixture on the Phase Transition Behavior of Acrylamide-Acrylonitrile Copolymers Investigating the Effect of Monomer Ratio and Reaction Solvent Mixture on the Phase Transition Behavior of Acrylamide-Acrylonitrile Copolymers 2076 10.22063/jipst.2024.3693.2338 FA Hossein Najafi Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology Morteza Nasiri Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Postal Code: 5331817634, Tabriz, Iran 0000-0002-8069-2304 Journal Article 2024 07 17 Hypothesis: This study aims to investigate the effect of monomer ratio and synthesis conditions on the properties and phase transition behavior of acrylamide-acrylonitrile copolymers (AAm-co-AN). The upper critical solution temperature (UCST) is expected to be affected by changing the ratio of acrylamide to acrylonitrile and the amount of solvent. Methods: (AAm-co-AN) copolymers were synthesized by free radical polymerization under two different conditions: using pure DMSO with various monomer ratios and varying the DMSO/water ratio with a constant monomer ratio. The polymers composition was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The phase transition behavior and UCST were studied by turbidimetry and changes in particle size by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Findings: FTIR analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of (AAm-co-AN) copolymers. Increasing the mole percentage of acrylonitrile from 23% to 30% led to an increase in UCST from 40°C to 65°C, while for copolymers synthesized in a DMSO/water co-solvent, increasing the water volume from 0.15 mL to 0.45 mL resulted in a decrease in UCST from 43°C to 25°C. In other words, the presence of water in the reaction medium reduces the reactivity of acrylonitrile and reduces its amount in the copolymer composition. The 1H-NMR results indicate a direct correlation between the acrylonitrile fraction in feed and its incorporation in the copolymer structure. Furthermore, it was determined that increasing the ratio of water in the reaction medium leads to a decrease in the acrylonitrile content in the final copolymer structure. DLS analyses showed that the hydrodynamic radius of the particles decreases with increasing temperature. It undergoes a sharp change at a certain temperature, which corresponds to the UCST. It is different from the UCST temperature obtained by the turbidity method by about 7℃, which is probably due to the shorter retention time in DLS analysis. Hypothesis: This study aims to investigate the effect of monomer ratio and synthesis conditions on the properties and phase transition behavior of acrylamide-acrylonitrile copolymers (AAm-co-AN). The upper critical solution temperature (UCST) is expected to be affected by changing the ratio of acrylamide to acrylonitrile and the amount of solvent. Methods: (AAm-co-AN) copolymers were synthesized by free radical polymerization under two different conditions: using pure DMSO with various monomer ratios and varying the DMSO/water ratio with a constant monomer ratio. The polymers composition was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The phase transition behavior and UCST were studied by turbidimetry and changes in particle size by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Findings: FTIR analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of (AAm-co-AN) copolymers. Increasing the mole percentage of acrylonitrile from 23% to 30% led to an increase in UCST from 40°C to 65°C, while for copolymers synthesized in a DMSO/water co-solvent, increasing the water volume from 0.15 mL to 0.45 mL resulted in a decrease in UCST from 43°C to 25°C. In other words, the presence of water in the reaction medium reduces the reactivity of acrylonitrile and reduces its amount in the copolymer composition. The 1H-NMR results indicate a direct correlation between the acrylonitrile fraction in feed and its incorporation in the copolymer structure. Furthermore, it was determined that increasing the ratio of water in the reaction medium leads to a decrease in the acrylonitrile content in the final copolymer structure. DLS analyses showed that the hydrodynamic radius of the particles decreases with increasing temperature. It undergoes a sharp change at a certain temperature, which corresponds to the UCST. It is different from the UCST temperature obtained by the turbidity method by about 7℃, which is probably due to the shorter retention time in DLS analysis.

http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2076_1730095fa1e70b5cc5b5f58c94794bb6.pdf

Iranian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology 10163255 37 3 2024 08 22 Fabrication and Surface Modification of PES-Based Thin-Film Nanofiltration Membranes Using Acrylic Acid/Carbon NanofibersforWater Treatment Fabrication and Surface Modification of PES-Based Thin-Film Nanofiltration Membranes Using Acrylic Acid/Carbon NanofibersforWater Treatment 2088 10.22063/jipst.2025.3702.2341 FA Reza Mohammadghasemi Arak University Mohadese Bayat Arak University Nafiseh Azadijoo Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Postal Code 38156-8-8349, Arak Iran Samaneh Koudzari Farahani Arak University SayedMohsen Hosseini Arak University Journal Article 2024 08 02 Hypothesis: Thin-film nanofiltration membranes based on polyether sulfone were prepared using acrylic acid and carbon nanofibers, and the effect of the coating layer on heavy metal separation and antifouling properties of the membrane was evaluated Methods: Thin film nanofiltration membranes were prepared using dip-coating technique. The properties of the pristine and modified membranes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Also, by the Taguchi experimental design algorithm, the effect of the coating layer on the physical and chemical properties of the membranes such as pore size membrane hydrophilicity, and their performance in terms of pure water flux, sodium sulfate rejection and flux, and heavy metal removal efficiency were investigated. Findings: The results revealed that the modified membrane with 2.5% acrylic acid 0.5% carbon nanofiber, and 3 h of reaction time exhibited higher hydrophilicity and larger pore size than other membranes. SEM images of the modified membranes revealed that appropriate amounts of surface modification parameters led to the formation of a polyacrylic acid layer with suitable density and desirable dispersion of nanoparticles and no agglomeration in the optimized membrane structure. The results indicated a significant improvement in the permeation flux of heavy metal solutions through the optimized membrane compared to the pristine membrane. Additionally the flux reduction in the optimized membrane was 16.1% less than that of the unmodified sample, demonstrating the suitable resistance of the modified membrane to fouling. The removal percentage of Cu, Cr and Pb was 58.9%, 52.0%, and 62.3% for the neat membrane, whereas it was 82.3%, 80.0%, and 89.5% for the superior modified membrane, respectively. The results indicated that the modified membrane performed better in removing lead than copper and chromium. Hypothesis: Thin-film nanofiltration membranes based on polyether sulfone were prepared using acrylic acid and carbon nanofibers, and the effect of the coating layer on heavy metal separation and antifouling properties of the membrane was evaluated Methods: Thin film nanofiltration membranes were prepared using dip-coating technique. The properties of the pristine and modified membranes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Also, by the Taguchi experimental design algorithm, the effect of the coating layer on the physical and chemical properties of the membranes such as pore size membrane hydrophilicity, and their performance in terms of pure water flux, sodium sulfate rejection and flux, and heavy metal removal efficiency were investigated. Findings: The results revealed that the modified membrane with 2.5% acrylic acid 0.5% carbon nanofiber, and 3 h of reaction time exhibited higher hydrophilicity and larger pore size than other membranes. SEM images of the modified membranes revealed that appropriate amounts of surface modification parameters led to the formation of a polyacrylic acid layer with suitable density and desirable dispersion of nanoparticles and no agglomeration in the optimized membrane structure. The results indicated a significant improvement in the permeation flux of heavy metal solutions through the optimized membrane compared to the pristine membrane. Additionally the flux reduction in the optimized membrane was 16.1% less than that of the unmodified sample, demonstrating the suitable resistance of the modified membrane to fouling. The removal percentage of Cu, Cr and Pb was 58.9%, 52.0%, and 62.3% for the neat membrane, whereas it was 82.3%, 80.0%, and 89.5% for the superior modified membrane, respectively. The results indicated that the modified membrane performed better in removing lead than copper and chromium.

http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2088_34b749bf6b6bae2571e5b883f9fa7d98.pdf

Iranian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology 10163255 37 3 2024 08 22 Synthesis of Ultrasound-Responsive Microbubbles Based on Polyethylene Glycol-block-Polycaprolactone Copolymer for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin Synthesis of Ultrasound-Responsive Microbubbles Based on Polyethylene Glycol-block-Polycaprolactone Copolymer for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin 2083 10.22063/jipst.2025.35584.2350 FA Hamed Abdipour Institute of Polymeric Materials and Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran 0000-0002-6365-7566 Farhang Abbasi Institute of Polymeric Materials and Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran 0000-0001-9770-4255 Journal Article 2024 10 24 Hypothesis: The development of drug delivery systems with high-dose capability and remote control is of great importance in the field of medicine These systems show significant potential in improving therapeutic efficacy by increasing drug half-life and stability, optimizing drug dosage, and reducing side effects. Microbubbles (MBs) have been introduced as novel imaging agents and ultrasound-responsive drug carriers. These structures, consisting of a gas core enclosed in a shell, have the ability to deliver drugs in a targeted manner to the desired tissue These unique features have made microbubbles a promising option for theranostic applications Methods: In this research, an ultrasound-responsive drug carrier was developed through the synthesis of microbubbles with a polymeric shell made of block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol) and polycaprolactone (PEG-b-PCL) and a perfluorohexane (PFH) core, capable of releasing its contents in response to ultrasound and temperature stimuli. The diblock copolymer PEG-b-PCL is biodegradable, biocompatible amphiphilic, and at the same time, its polymerization method is relatively simple. Findings: Optical microscopy results showed that the synthesized nanodroplets (NDs) are spherical and respond well to ultrasound. The stability of the particles and their size distribution were examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Finally doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), as a model drug, was successfully loaded onto the particles, achieving encapsulation efficiencies of 98.4% for the shell, where the drug was predominantly confined, and 95.84% for the particles, reflecting an overall high loading capacity throughout the structure. Additionally, drug release and its responsiveness to ultrasound were investigated. The results indicated that the particles were ultrasound-responsive, and drug release increased significantly during ultrasound exposure, making this drug carrier an ideal candidate for use as a theranostic agent in cancer treatment. Hypothesis: The development of drug delivery systems with high-dose capability and remote control is of great importance in the field of medicine These systems show significant potential in improving therapeutic efficacy by increasing drug half-life and stability, optimizing drug dosage, and reducing side effects. Microbubbles (MBs) have been introduced as novel imaging agents and ultrasound-responsive drug carriers. These structures, consisting of a gas core enclosed in a shell, have the ability to deliver drugs in a targeted manner to the desired tissue These unique features have made microbubbles a promising option for theranostic applications Methods: In this research, an ultrasound-responsive drug carrier was developed through the synthesis of microbubbles with a polymeric shell made of block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol) and polycaprolactone (PEG-b-PCL) and a perfluorohexane (PFH) core, capable of releasing its contents in response to ultrasound and temperature stimuli. The diblock copolymer PEG-b-PCL is biodegradable, biocompatible amphiphilic, and at the same time, its polymerization method is relatively simple. Findings: Optical microscopy results showed that the synthesized nanodroplets (NDs) are spherical and respond well to ultrasound. The stability of the particles and their size distribution were examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Finally doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), as a model drug, was successfully loaded onto the particles, achieving encapsulation efficiencies of 98.4% for the shell, where the drug was predominantly confined, and 95.84% for the particles, reflecting an overall high loading capacity throughout the structure. Additionally, drug release and its responsiveness to ultrasound were investigated. The results indicated that the particles were ultrasound-responsive, and drug release increased significantly during ultrasound exposure, making this drug carrier an ideal candidate for use as a theranostic agent in cancer treatment.

http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2083_6b69af140ef8f298ab08676964afa2aa.pdf