Optimization of PCL/PEG/PVA Blend Composition for Electrospray Nanocapsule Fabrication: A Comprehensive Rheological and Stability Study Using CCD-RSM

The proper selection of optimal polymeric blends is imperative in the electrospray fabrication of drug-loaded nanocapsules. In this research work, the Central Composite Design-Response Surface Methodology (CCD-RSM) was used to explore the influence of PCL/PEG/PVA polymeric blend ratio and total polymeric concentration on polymeric solution viscosity, long-term stability, and liquid-phase miscibility. The experiment involved the evaluation of three factors: PEG ratio (ranging from 10 wt% to 30 wt%), PVA ratio (ranging from 5 wt% to 15 wt%), and total polymeric concentration (ranging from 3 wt/vol% to 5 wt/vol%), with 20 experiments. The resulting polymeric mixture formula of PCL:PEG: PVA (70:20:10) at a polymeric concentration of 4 wt%/vol exhibited a viscosity index of 72.4±3.1 cP and a long-term stability score of 5/5 (completely transparent). Its absorbance value at 600nm was 0.08 ± 0.01. The proposed quadratic equation, with an R² value of 0.94, demonstrated precise predictability of rheological properties within the experimentally tested process parameters. In general, this research work presents a precise pre-formulation strategy for optimizing electrospray polymeric solutions, facilitating stable processing parameters within normal nanocapsule fabrication processes.