Laser trapping/confocal Raman spectroscopic characterization of PLGA-PEG nanoparticles

Abstract

We have immobilized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the surfaces of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles by two different chemical methods, i.e., SOCl₂ halogenate-alcoholysis and DCC dehydration. The immobilized PLGA nanoparticles were characterized by DLS, ¹H NMR, FT-IR and laser trapping/confocal Raman spectroscopic techniques. As a result, especially the Raman spectra which were measured after optically trapping ca. 10 individual nanoparticles in solution indicated that the PLGA nanoparticles were successfully immobilized with the PEG by the chemical methods.