Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymeric Nanocapsules from Poly(α,β-malic acid)-Grafted Nano-silica Templates

A green strategy for the preparation of biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric nanocapsules containing lots of functional carboxyl groups is developed by the surface polycondensation of α,β-malic acid from silica nanoparticles as the sacrificial templates. After the poly(α,β-malic acid) grafted silica nanoparticles are cross-linked with glycerol, the nano-silica templates are etched with hydrofluoric acid to produce the biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric nanocapsules. The hollow structure of the polymeric nanocapsules with an inner diameter about 20–100 nm is validated by transmission electron microscopy.