Methods for producing nanoparticles and using same

Abstract

A method for producing nanocomposite particles is provided. The method comprises supplying an organic phase fluid an organic phase fluid, an aqueous phase fluid, an amphiphile, and a plurality of hydrophobic nanospecies to a nozzle. An electric field is generated proximate the nozzle such that the fluid exiting the nozzle forms a cone jet that disperses into a plurality of droplets. The plurality of droplets are collected, and nanocomposite particles comprising a self-assembled structure encapsulating at least one hydrophobic nanospecies form by self-assembly.

1 . A method for producing nanocomposite particles, the method comprising:
 supplying an organic phase fluid to a nozzle, wherein the organic phase fluid comprises an organic solvent, an amphiphile, and a plurality of hydrophobic nanoparticles;   generating an electric field proximate the nozzle such that the fluid exiting the nozzle forms a cone-jet that disperses into a plurality of droplets;   collecting the plurality of droplets in an aqueous collection solution; and   wherein nanocomposite particles comprising an amphiphilic micelle encapsulating at least one hydrophobic nanoparticle self-assemble in the aqueous collection solution.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 supplying an aqueous phase fluid to the nozzle, the aqueous phase fluid comprising a surfactant;   wherein the organic phase fluid is supplied to an inner tube of the nozzle at a flow rate of about 0.01 ml/hr to about 10 ml/hr; and   wherein the aqueous phase fluid is supplied to an outer annulus of the nozzle at a flow rate of about 0.01 ml/hr to about 10 ml/hr.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the electric field has an electric field strength within a range of about 3 kV/cm to about 35 kV/cm. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and combinations thereof;
 the amphiphile is selected from the group consisting of poly(styrene-b-ethylene glycol), poly(ε-caprolactone-b-ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene glycol-b-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine), a peptide amphiphile, and combinations thereof; and   the plurality of hydrophobic nanoparticles is selected from the group consisting of semiconducting nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, carbonaceous nanoparticles, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, octylphenol ethoxylate, 4-(5-Dodecyl) benzenesulfonate, sodium stearate, poloxamers, polysorbates, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanocomposite particles have a diameter in a range of about 5 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein nanocomposite particles comprise at least one first quantum dot having a first emission wavelength and at least one second quantum dot having a second emission wavelength that is different from the first emission wavelength, and the nanocomposite particles have a diameter in a range of about 5 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanocomposite particles comprise at least one quantum dot and at least one magnetic nanoparticle, and the nanocomposite particles have a diameter in a range of about 5 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the nanocomposite particles further comprise a functional group, wherein the functional group is selected from the group consisting of a peptide, a polypeptide, a protein, a ligand, an antibody, DNA, RNA, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method for producing polymeric nanoparticles, the method comprising:
 supplying an organic phase fluid to a nozzle, wherein the organic phase fluid comprises an organic solvent, an amphiphile, and a hydrophobic polymer;   generating an electric field proximate the nozzle such that the fluid exiting the nozzle forms a cone-jet that disperses into a plurality of droplets;   collecting the plurality of droplets in an aqueous collection solution; and   wherein polymeric nanoparticles comprising an amphiphilic micelle encapsulating the hydrophobic polymer self-assemble in the aqueous collection solution.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 supplying an aqueous phase fluid to the nozzle, the aqueous phase fluid comprising a surfactant;   wherein the organic phase fluid is supplied to an inner tube of the nozzle at a flow rate of about 0.01 ml/hr to about 10 ml/hr; and   wherein the aqueous phase fluid is supplied to an outer annulus of the nozzle at a flow rate of about 0.01 ml/hr to about 10 ml/hr.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the electric field has an electric field strength within a range of about 3 kV/cm to about 35 kV/cm. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and combinations thereof;
 the amphiphile is selected from the group consisting of poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide poly (ε-caprolactone-b-ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene glycol-b-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine), a peptide amphiphile, and combinations thereof; and   the hyrdophobic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polylactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), poly(caprolactone), poly(ethylene glycol), and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, octylphenol ethoxylate, 4-(5-Dodecyl) benzenesulfonate, sodium stearate, poloxamers, polysorbates, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the polymeric nanoparticles have a diameter in a range of about 5 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the organic phase fluid further comprises an active ingredient and the polymeric nanoparticles comprise an amphiphilic micelle encapsulating the hydrophobic polymer and the active ingredient. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the polymeric nanoparticles further comprise a functional group, wherein the functional group is selected from the group consisting of a peptide, a polypeptide, a protein, a ligand, an antibody, DNA, RNA, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 .- 20 . (canceled)