Investigation of the internal structure of biomass-derived polymeric nanodevices for applications in bioimaging and drug delivery

The translation of biocompatible polymers into biomedical applications faces several challenges, such as maintaining consistent synthesis conditions, managing high production costs, and ensuring stability during storage. Preclinical testing is essential to confirm biocompatibility and non-toxicity, especially for bioimaging, where fluorescence stability and specificity are critical. Biodegradable polymers like polylactide (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) are widely used due to their biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, though drug loading and formulation stability depend on the polymer-compound relationship. Biomass-derived polyesters are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives, with potential in nanomedicine. These polymers, synthesized via ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP), offer diverse nanoparticle (NP) characteristics, such as size and morphology. Additionally, unconventional fluorescence phenomena like aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and cluster-triggered emission (CTE) have been observed in these materials, enhancing their bioimaging capabilities. A recent study synthesized a carvone-derived polyester, producing NPs with a 60 nm hydrodynamic radius and -20 mV zeta potential. These NPs exhibited fluorescence based on AIE and CTE processes, useful for bioimaging and monitoring cellular internalization. However, fluorescence diminished over time, likely due to polymer chain unfolding that deactivates these processes. This suggests potential nanotheranostic applications, enabling real-time drug delivery monitoring.This study aims to investigate the nanostructure of the biomass-derived polymers and their nanoparticles, focusing on the mechanisms behind aggregate formation in solution. Simultaneous SAXS/WAXS measurements will monitor polymer aggregation in various conditions, examining structure, stability, and kinetics. The goal is to link the polymers’ internal structure to AIE/CTE fluorescence behavior and understand the fluorescent attenuation process over time. This research could prepare these nanodevices for clinical applications in biomedicine, particularly in nanotheranostics.