Laser light scattering study of the degradation of poly(sebacic anhydride) nanoparticles

Poly(sebacic anhydride) (PSA) is biocompatible and degradable in basic media. We micronized this water-insoluble polymer into stable polymeric nanoparticles via a microphase inversion. Such PSA nanoparticles degraded much faster than bulk PSA. The influence of the surfactant, temperature, and pH on the degradation of the PSA nanoparticles was investigated by a combination of static and dynamic laser light scattering. Under each condition, the degradation rate was nearly constant up to a 75% weight loss; that is, the degradation was close to zero-order. The degradation rate increased with the pH and temperature. Biomedical applications of such PSA nanoparticles are suggested.