INDIAN LEARNERS’ OWN

ACADEMY

CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Polymer Power: Revolutionizing
Medicine with Advanced Materials
NAME: JANE JOBBY MANGALATH
CLASS: XII-A
REG NO.:
YEAR: 2024-2025

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 INDIAN LEARNERS’ OWN
ACADEMY

BonafiKUWAIT
de Cer t ifi cat e
This is to certify that JANE JOBBY MANGALATHU
of Class XII A, Roll No. has
satisfactorily completed the Project in CHEMISTRYfor
AISSCE as prescribed by the CBSE in the year
2024-
SSCE 2025.

Internal Examiner Principal

Mr. BINU MATTHEW Mrs. ASHA SHARMA

Signature: …………… Signature: ……………

External Examiner SCHOOL SEAL

.………………………

Signature: ……………
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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Project is like a bridge between theoretical and
practical working.
I would like to thank our dear chemistry teacher
Mr. Binu Mathew for his valuable and
constructive suggestions for fulfilling this project.
His willingness to give his time so generously was
very much appreciated.
This project helped me learn how to research, and
I learned many new things on the way. Lastly, I
would like to thank my CLASSMATES who
helped and encouraged me throughout this project.
I am deeply grateful for the kindness and support I
have received from everyone.
Though words may fail to fully convey my
appreciation, I would like to extend my
gratitude from the bottom of my heart for
the countless favors I have received.

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 DECLARATION

I, hereby declare that the project work entitled

"Polymer Power: Revolutionizing Medicine
with Advanced Materials" is a record of original
work done by me, under the guidance of Mr. Binu
Mathew.

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 INDEX
1 Introduction 6

Chemistry of biodegradable
2 7
polymers
The commonly used
3 biodegradable polymers in 11
medicine
Challenges and Future
4 14
Directions

Techniques of microparticle
5 15
preparation

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6 Conclusion 18

7 Summary 19

8 Bibliography 17

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 INTRODUCTION
Drug delivery has become increasingly important
mainly due to the awareness of the difficulties
associated with a variety of old and new drugs.
Of the many polymeric drug delivery systems,
biodegradable polymers have been used widely as
drug delivery systems because of their
biocompatibility and biodegradability.
The majority of biodegradable polymers have been used
in the form of microparticles, from which the
incorporated drug is released to the environment in a
controlled manner.
The factors responsible for controlling the drug release
rate are physicochemical properties of drugs,
degradation rate of polymers, and the morphology
and size of microparticles.
This review discusses the conventional and recent
technologies for microencapsulation of the drugs using
biodegradable polymers.
In addition, this review presents characteristics and
degradation behaviors of biodegradable polymers
which are currently used in drug delivery.

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 Chemistry of biodegradable
polymers
Biodegradable polymers are a class of materials that undergo
degradation into smaller, biocompatible molecules when
exposed to certain environmental conditions, such as heat,
light, or enzymes.
These polymers play a crucial role in various fields, including
medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection.
1. Polyester-based Polymers: Polyesters are among the
most widely studied biodegradable polymers.
Common examples (PLGA) and (PCL).
Polyesters degrade into non-toxic products such as lactic
acid and glycolic acid.

C
hemical structures of polyesters
Aliphatic polyesters like PLGA, PCL, and PPEs are widely
used as drug carriers due to their biocompatibility and
biodegradability.
PLGA degrades into lactic and glycolic acids, with its rate
controlled by the acid ratio and molecular weight.
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PCL, a semi-crystalline polymer, degrades slowly, making it
suitable for long-term delivery, with its rate slowing further in
later stages due to increased crystallinity.
PPEs degrade via hydrolysis or enzymatic cleavage of
phosphate bonds, with adjustable properties based on
chemical structure, offering controlled degradation rates and
suitability for protein delivery without acidic environments.
2. Poly (ortho esters): (POEs) have evolved into four
distinct families since the 1970s, each tailored for
biomedical applications.
POEs differ from polyesters by undergoing surface
erosion rather than homogeneous degradation, crucial
for achieving sustained drug release without bursts.
POE I, II, III, and IV in the context of their characteristics
and advancements in controlled drug delivery systems:
POE I:
 Likely to autocatalytic hydrolysis.
 Requires stabilization with bases, limiting biomedical
applications.
POE II:
 Offers simplicity in synthesis.
 Controllable molecular weight.
 Requires acidic excipients to enhance erosion rates,
complicating device design.
POE III:
 Semisolid at room temperature.
 Simplifies drug delivery system preparation.
 Faces challenges in synthesis reproducibility.
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POE IV:
 Recent advancement in controlled drug delivery systems.
 Does not need acidic additives, simplifying device
design.
 Enhances biocompatibility and applicability in
biomedical settings.
POE IV stands out due to its controlled erosion mechanism,
lack of dependency on acidic additives, and improved
biocompatibility.

Chemical structures of poly (ortho esters)

3. Polyanhydrides: Polyanhydrides feature anhydride

linkages in their backbone.
These bonds are highly susceptible to hydrolysis,
leading to the breakdown of the polymer chain into
smaller fragments.
Polyanhydrides are often used for short-term drug
delivery due to their rapid degradation rate.

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Chemical structure of poly[bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) propane-
co-sebacic acid]

Polyanhydrides are used for short-term controlled drug

delivery due to their rapid degradation and limited mechanical
properties.
They degrade in adjustable rates.
The FDA approved 1,3-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) propane for
brain cancer treatment. However, they must be stored frozen
and anhydrous due to hydrolytic instability.
4. Polyphosphazenes: They contain phosphorus and
nitrogen atoms in their backbone.
They degrade via hydrolysis of phosphorus-nitrogen
bonds.
They have versatile chemical structure for precise
control over degradation rates and properties.
They are versatile biomedical polymers with an inorganic
nitrogen-phosphorus backbone. And are created by reacting
PDPP with various reagents.
These polymers can be tailored with numerous substituents,
allowing for diverse properties.
They degrade into non-toxic products like phosphates and
ammonia via surface or bulk erosion.
5. Natural Polymers: Natural biodegradable polymers,
such as proteins (e.g., collagen, gelatin) and
polysaccharides (e.g., chitosan, cellulose), are derived
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 from biological sources. They degrade naturally in the
environment through enzymatic or microbial action.
These polymers are often used in biomedical
applications due to their biocompatibility and low
immunogenicity.
Natural biodegradable polymers like proteins and
polysaccharides are favored in biomedical applications
for their biocompatibility and ease of modification.
Proteins face limitations due to mechanical properties
and antigenicity, while polysaccharides offer cost-
effectiveness, diverse properties, and biocompatibility.
Chitosan, derived from chitin, shows excellent
biodegradability and tailored for drug delivery
enhancing.
6. Chemical Modifications: The chemical structure of
biodegradable polymers can be modified to tailor their
properties for specific applications.
Overall, understanding the chemistry of biodegradable
polymers is essential for designing materials with
controlled degradation kinetics, biocompatibility, and
mechanical properties tailored to various applications.

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 the commonly used
biodegradable polymers in
medicine
Biodegradable polymers are important in medicine for things
like drug delivery, tissue repair, and medical devices. Here are
some common types and their uses:
1. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA): PLGA is very
popular because it breaks down into substances that our
body can handle safely.
It's great for delivering medicines because it can be
designed to release drugs at a controlled rate.
2. Poly(caprolactone) (PCL): PCL breaks down slowly,
making it ideal for long-term uses like drug delivery and
creating scaffolds for tissue repair.
It’s flexible and can be shaped into different forms, like
fibers or films.
3. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG): PEG is water-friendly and
helps drugs dissolve better and work more effectively. It
can also be tailored to target specific areas in the body
and is used in gels for tissue repair.
4. Chitosan: Chitosan comes from the shells of shrimp and
crabs. It's natural, safe for the body, and can help heal
wounds. It’s also used to deliver drugs and for tissue
repair.
5. Poly(ortho esters) (POEs): POEs break down gradually
from the surface, which makes them useful for implants
that need to release medicine slowly over time.

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Each of these polymers has special features that make them
suitable for different medical applications, showing how
versatile and valuable they are in healthcare

Challenges and Future

Directions
[Factors that need to be kept in mind
while choosing polymers for medical
usage] :-
1. Degradation Timing: It's important to control how
quickly these polymers break down so that they
match the healing process of tissues.
2. Strength: Improving the strength of these materials
while they break down at the right pace is crucial.
This can be done by reinforcing them or combining
them with other materials.
3. Production Challenges: Making these polymers in
large amounts efficiently and affordably is still a
challenge.
4. Innovative Uses: Mixing biodegradable polymers
with special agents or tiny particles can make them
work better for drug delivery and tissue repair.
Each of these factors helps ensure that biodegradable
polymers are effective and practical for medical use.

TECHNIQUES OF MICROPARTICLE
PREPARATION
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 I. EMULSION-SOLVENT
EVAPORATION/EXTRACTION METHODS
When making tiny particles with biodegradable polymers to
deliver drugs, it's important to choose a process that meets
certain needs:

 Drug Stability: The method should keep the drug stable

and effective, avoiding conditions that could harm its
proteins.
 High Efficiency: The process should produce a lot of
microparticles with a good amount of drug inside them,
which is important for large-scale production.
 Right Size: The microparticles should be small enough
(less than 250 micrometers) so they can be easily
injected with a needle.
 Consistent Release: The drug should be released
steadily from the microparticles without any sudden
bursts.
 Easy Handling: The microparticles should flow easily,
making it simpler to create even mixtures for use.

There are different methods to create these drug-loaded

microparticles, such as using emulsions, spray drying, and
phase separation.
Each method has its pros and cons, and the best choice
depends on factors like the type of polymer and drug, where
the drug needs to act, and how long the treatment will last.
This review looks at various effective techniques for making
these microparticles.

1. Single Emulsion Method:

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 o For Hydrophobic Drugs: Use a solvent that doesn’t
mix with water, like dichloromethane, to dissolve the
polymer and drug. When this solvent is removed,
microparticles form.
o For Hydrophilic Drugs: Use solvents that mix with

water and hydrophobic oils. Similar to the above,

removing the solvents results in microparticle
formation.
2. Double Emulsion Method:
o Water-in-Oil-in-Water (w/o/w): This method is used

for drugs that dissolve in water. First, create an oil-

based emulsion with the drug and polymer.
Then, mix this with water to form microspheres. This
method works well for drugs like proteins, providing
high efficiency in encapsulation.
3. Phase Separation:
o Coacervation: Mix a solution of polymer and drug

with a liquid that doesn’t dissolve the polymer to form

tiny droplets.
These droplets then solidify into microparticles. The
size and efficiency of these particles depend on the
mixing process and the types of solvents used.
These methods each have their specific uses depending on the
type of drug and the desired properties of the microparticles.

o Droplet Collision: Two different liquid droplets are

produced using ink-jet nozzles and collide with each
other in the
air.
o Solvent
Exchange: At
the point
where these

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 droplets meet, the solvents in the droplets mix and
exchange. This causes the polymer in one of the
droplets to form a layer around the other liquid,
which is usually water.

o Formation of Microcapsules: This polymer layer

surrounds the water core, creating a microcapsule
with a single central core (mononuclear).
o Collection: The newly formed microcapsules are
then collected in a water bath to solidify and be
gathered for further use.

II. Spray drying

1.Spray Drying:
oAdvantages: Spray drying is a popular method
because it can consistently produce microparticles
with controlled sizes. It uses volatile solvents like
dichloromethane, which evaporate quickly, leaving
behind the dried particles.
o Challenges: One downside is that some product can

be lost because particles might stick to equipment or

clump together.
2. Double-Nozzle Technique:
o To improve the yield and reduce the issue of

particles sticking together, a double-nozzle method

is used. This technique coats the microparticles with
mannitol, a sugar that helps prevent clumping and
sticking.
3. Cryogenic Method:

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 o To maintain the activity of sensitive proteins, a
cryogenic method can be used. This involves
quickly freezing the microparticles using liquid
nitrogen mixed with ethanol. This helps preserve the
proteins’ effectiveness while forming the particles.
These techniques help improve the efficiency and quality of
microparticles produced through spray drying, making them
more suitable for various applications.

Conclusion
Biodegradable microparticles are crucial for
customizing how drugs are released in medical
treatments.

By choosing the right polymers and drugs, and using

various techniques to encapsulate them, we can
improve how effectively and reliably drugs are
delivered.

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 These polymers are compatible with the body, break
down in a controlled way, and support tissue healing,
making them valuable for drug delivery, tissue repair,
and implants.
While there are still some challenges, ongoing research
is focused on improving these materials.

The goal is to make medical devices and treatments

safer and more tailored to patients' needs, advancing
both the science of polymers and overall healthcare.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artcles/PMC6147704/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_polymer

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/
biodegradable-polymer

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