A Comparison of the Size Distribution and Batch Size Based on the Use of Emulsion or Microfluidizer for the Preparation of Ferric Oxide-Based Superparamagnetic Polymeric Nanocapsule Artificial Cells

Superparamagnetic artificial cells based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)–iron oxide (PLGA–Fe 3 O[Formula: see text] micro/nanocapsules are used as drug-delivery carriers, for magnetic resonance imaging, hyperthermia, etc. Their synthesis via the emulsion method is challenging in controlling size distribution. On the other hand, PLGA–Fe 3 O 4 microcapsule artificial cells with smooth surfaces and a narrow particle size distribution were successfully prepared via coflowing microchannels. Additionally, the herringbone microfluidic mixer produced PLGA–Fe 3 O 4 nanocapsule-based artificial cells with a narrow size distribution in a highly scalable manner. However, much larger batches can be prepared by the emulsion method for biological and animal studies. Microfluidic method could only prepare much smaller batches that are more suitable for basic characterization and analysis.