A1. A series of PEA precursors was obtained by a three-step polycondensation reaction between ethylene glycol and adipic acid. The obtained precursors were characterized by NMR (1H and 13C), SEC, Maldi-Tof, DSC and ATG. For the next activity, a PEA with a Mn of 2480 g/mol was selected.
A2. A series of PCL-PEA-PCL block copolymers were prepared starting from the previously obtained PEA precursors. Also in this activity was optimized the preparation procedure of nanoparticles (NPs) based on PCL by an emulsion/evaporation method. A series of parameters were studied, such as: organic/aqueous ratio; surfactant concentration; sonication time; addition rate of the organic phase; molecular characteristics of PCL and PVA. After the optimization of this procedure, drug-loaded NPs were obtained at different drug/PCL ratios (wt/wt). The obtained NPs were analyzed by DLS and FTIR. Finally, electrospun fibers were also obtained and the encapsulation of a drug model was investigated. The diameters of the fibers were determined by SEM in the absence and in the presence of drug.
