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Ultrasonic Synthesis and Characterisation of Polymer-Shelled Microspheres

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Handbook of Ultrasonics and Sonochemistry

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Abstract

Ultrasound technique provides a simple, fast, versatile, and green pathway for synthesizing functionalized polymeric nanometer- and micrometer-sized core/shell structures. The core materials include gas, liquid, and solid materials. The microspheres’ shell is composed of biopolymers such as proteins, polysaccharides, and biocompatible synthetic polymers. In this chapter, an overview of various reports available in the literature on ultrasonic synthesis and characterization of polymer-shelled microspheres is provided. Specific focus is given to how various experimental conditions could be used to fine-tune the physical and functional properties of polymeric nano- and microspheres. It has been shown that their properties could be controlled by the power and frequency of ultrasound, the type of ultrasonic horn, and post-sonication technique. The importance of thiol functional groups for enhancing the stability of shell is also highlighted. The examples and discussion provided in this chapter indicate that ultrasound technology is versatile, simple, and efficient for synthesizing stable polymeric nano- and microspheres that have potential applications in biomedical and other areas.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, 1-100 Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Meifang Zhou & Muthupandian Ashokkumar

  2. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, 1-100 Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Francesca Cavalieri

Authors
  1. Meifang Zhou
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  2. Francesca Cavalieri
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  3. Muthupandian Ashokkumar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meifang Zhou .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Muthupandian Ashokkumar

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Zhou, M., Cavalieri, F., Ashokkumar, M. (2015). Ultrasonic Synthesis and Characterisation of Polymer-Shelled Microspheres. In: Ashokkumar, M. (eds) Handbook of Ultrasonics and Sonochemistry. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-470-2_22-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-470-2_22-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-287-470-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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