Preparation and characterization of venlafaxine hydrochloride‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles and in vitro release of drug

The venlafaxine hydrochloride (VHL)‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation of chitosan (CS) using tripolyphosphate (TPP). The nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of concentration of CS, polyethylene glycol (PEG), VHL and CS/TPP mass ratio on the particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles was examined. The particle size of CS/TPP nanoparticles and VHL‐loaded CS/TPP nanoparticles was within the range of 200–400 nm with positive surface charge. In the case of VHL‐loaded nanoparticles and PEG‐coated CS/TPP nanoparticles, the particle size increases and surface charge decreases with increasing concentration of VHL and PEG. Both placebo and VHL‐loaded CS/TPP nanoparticles were observed to be spherical in nature. PEG coating on the surface of CS/TPP nanoparticles was confirmed by XPS analysis. Maximum drug entrapment efficiency (70%) was observed at 0.6 mg/mL drug concentration. In vitro drug release study at 37°C ± 0.5°C and pH 7.4 exhibited initial burst release followed by a steady release. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Chitosan–poly(aminopropyl/phenylsilsesquioxane) hybrid nanocomposite membranes for antibacterial and drug delivery applications

We fabricated hybrid (CSSQ) membranes from chitosan and poly(aminopropyl/phenylsilsesquioxane) (PAPSQ) blends via a sol–gel reaction and solution casting followed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. The CSSQ membranes were then used for loading of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) as an anticancer drug as well as templates for the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The physicochemical properties of the CSSQ membranes were examined using UV‐visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM results showed the controllable formation of AgNPs around PAPSQ. CSSQ–Ag nanocomposite membranes exhibited good antibacterial activity towards both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, while the CSSQ membranes worked as good carriers for controlled release of 5‐FU as model drug. The results suggest that both CSSQ and CSSQ–Ag nanocomposite membranes can be potentially applied for biomedical applications such as controlled release carriers as well as antibacterial wound dressing materials. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structural and antibacterial properties of a γ‐radiation‐assisted,in situ prepared silver–polycarbonate matrix

A silver–polycarbonate (Ag–PC) matrix was prepared by a γ‐radiation‐assisted diffusion method, and its antibacterial properties were studied. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy results showed the diffusion of good, crystalline‐structured (face‐centered cubic) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inside polycarbonate (PC) after irradiation. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopic results indicated a blueshift in the surface plasmon resonance of the AgNPs; this revealed a particle size decrease with increasing γ‐radiation dose. This was also supported by the scanning electron microscopy results. The microstructure of the pristine PC and silver‐doped PC was monitored with positron annihilation spectroscopy, and it showed decreases in the free‐volume hole size and fractional free‐volume for Ag–PC and γ‐ray‐irradiated PC. This corroborated the Doppler broadening spectroscopy results. The thermal degradation temperature of PC was increased because of the diffusion of AgNPs in PC. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized Ag–PC matrix was evaluated by the zone of inhibition, and the results demonstrated its bacterial growth inhibition ability. The results indicate the potential to produce an Ag–PC matrix for various applications in medical and food industries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43729.     

Functionalized polymeric silver nanoparticle hybrid network as a dual antimicrobe: Synthesis,characterization, and antibacterial application

The present work describes a novel method for the synthesis of silver polymer nanocomposite for the delivery of amoxicillin (AMO). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized with chitosan and silver nitrate. The reaction parameters were optimized. Three‐dimensional polymeric networks were synthesized by simple free‐radical graft copolymerization. UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, SEM, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis were used for the complete characterization of the samples. Swelling studies and swelling factors were evaluated. In vitro release of AMO and AgNPs at physiological pHs was analyzed using the Peppas kinetic model to explain the drug delivery mechanism. Cytotoxicity, free‐radical scavenging, and antibacterial activities were analyzed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43479.     

Preparation of antibacterial temperature‐sensitive silver‐nanocomposite hydrogels from N‐isopropylacrylamide with green tea

This article reports the temperature‐sensitive, green tea (GT)‐based silver‐nanocomposite hydrogels for bacterial growth inactivation. The temperature‐sensitive hydrogels were prepared via free‐radical polymerization using temperature‐sensitive N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomer with GT as the hydrogel matrix. The nanocomposite hydrogels were encapsulated with silver ions via swelling method, which was later reduced to silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. The temperature‐sensitive silver nanocomposite hydrogels were analyzed by using Fourier transforms infrared, UV–visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry–thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared hydrogels exhibited higher phase volume transition temperature than the NIPAM. The inhibition zone study of the inactivation of bacteria on the developed hydrogels was carried out against Gram negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus), which revealed that the prepared hydrogels are helpful for the inactivation of these bacteria due to the high stabilization of antibacterial properties of the silver nanoparticles. The developed hydrogels are promising for biomedical applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45739.     

Preparation of modified sodium lignosulfonate hydrogel–silver nanocomposites

In this article, modified sodium lignosulfonate (MSLS) hydrogel particles were prepared using sodium lignosulfonate as starting material. The hydrogel particles exhibit a reversible property transformed between the two states of macrohydrogel and microhydrogel by ultrasonic dispersion and vacuum drying. Using this property, highly stable and uniformly dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been prepared via in situ reduction of silver ions (silver nitrate) in the microhydrogel aqueous dispersion with sodium borhydride. The hybrid microhydrogel with AgNPs was transformed into MSLS hydrogel–silver nanocomposites by drying under vacuum at 40°C. X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, atomic absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the composite system. The results show that the size of spherical silver nanoparticles incorporated in the hydrogel framework is about 10 nm. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:860–866, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Layer‐by‐layer modification of porous polybenzoxazine with silver nanoparticles for enhanced CO2 storage

Polybenzoxazine (PBZ) xerogels have been synthesized via quasi solventless method and coated with silver nanoparticles using the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) deposition method. After coating, the samples were carbonized at 800 °C to obtain high surface area porous carbon materials to be used for CO₂ storage. Evidences of the successful LbL deposition of the coating was provided by ultraviolet–visible and attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the silver nanoparticles top layer was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that the samples coated with silver nanoparticles displayed an increased CO₂ capacity from 3.02 to 3.39 mmol g^?1 when compared with the plain carbon PBZ. The LbL method for the modification of the pore surface in porous PBZ is simple and allows the facile tuning of the inner PBZ pore's surface chemistry with metallic nanoparticles that could be enhanced CO₂ storage capacity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45097.     

Encapsulation and release of cladribine from chitosan nanoparticles

This study shows the potential of chitosan (CH) nanoparticles as both an oral and IV drug delivery system using the anticancer drug cladribine as a model drug. Smooth, spherical nanoparticles were prepared by the ionotropic gelation of CH with sodium tripolyphosphate. Nanoparticle size depended on degree of hydration, drug loading, and crosslinking conditions, with the smallest nanoparticles in the size range of 212 ± 51 nm. Cladribine was entrapped in the CH matrix with an entrapment efficiency of up to 62%, depending on the initial loading. The release of cladribine followed a near‐Fickian diffusion rate over the first several hours and then reached a plateau. A second release phase began after 30–40 h of incubation in the release medium, and proceeded until ～100 h. Loaded CH nanoparticles that were crosslinked with genipin showed a delayed release profile, with only 40% of loaded drug being released after 100 h. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Production of Well-Dispersed Aqueous Cross-Linked Chitosan-Based Nanomaterials as Alternative Antimicrobial Approach

In the current study, chitosan was extracted by deacetylation of chitin, which is extracted from shrimp shell. chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique. chitosan/tripolyphosphate ratio (CS:TPP) was kept at 3:1 to prepare CSNPs. chitosan/silver nanocomposite (CS/AgNCs) were prepared by incorporating silver nanoparticles into CSNPs. The quality of the prepared nanocomposite was evaluated by infrared spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and antibacterial activity. Results showed that chitosan/silver nanocomposite in which, both chitosan and silver are in nanoscale was successfully prepared for the first time in a well-dispersed aqueous form. Whereas CSNPs act as a host material to form the nanocomposite unlike the previously prepared forms of chitosan–silver nanocomposites, that used chitosan bulk as host materials and the dispersion medium was slightly acidic. Moreover, results revealed that the antibacterial activity of CSNPs was significantly enhanced after incorporating trace amount of silver nanoparticles (0.535% w/w AgNPs/CSNPs).     

Synthesis and characterization of hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites for wound dressing and antibacterial application

Hydrogel silver nanocomposites are found to be excellent materials for antibacterial applications. To enhance their applicability novel hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites have been developed. For developing, these composites, the hydrogel matrices are synthesized first by polymerizing acrylamide in the presence of poly(vinyl sulfonic acid sodium salt) and a trifunctional crosslinker (2,4,6‐triallyloxy 1,3,5‐triazine, TA) using redox initiating system (ammonium persulphate/TMEDA). Silver nanoparticles are generated throughout the hydrogel networks using in situ method by incorporating the silver ions and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride. Curcumin loading into hydrogel‐silver nanoparticles composite is achieved by diffusion mechanism. A series of hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites are developed and are characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermal analyses, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopic (SEM/TEM) methods. An interesting arrangement of silver nanoparticles i.e., a shining sun shape (ball) (～ 5 nm) with apparent smaller grown nanoparticles (～ 1 nm) is observed by TEM. The curcumin loading and release characteristics are performed for various hydrogel composite systems. A comparative antimicrobial study is performed for hydrogel‐silver nanocomposites and hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

A convenient approach to synthesize stable silver nanoparticles and silver/polystyrene nanocomposite particles

In this study, silver nanoparticles were prepared by the reduction of silver nitrate in SDS+ isopentanol/styrene/H₂O reverse microemulsion system using sodium citrate as reducing agent. The Ag/PS nanocomposite particles were prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization of the styrene system containing silver nanoparticles that did not separate from the reaction solution. The polymerization dynamic characteristic was studied, at the same time, silver nanparticles and the encapsulation of composite particles were characterized by Fourier‐transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurement, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of TEM and UV–vis absorption spectra showed that well‐dispersed silver nanoparticles have a narrow size distribution. XRD showed that Ag and Ag/PS nanocomposite particles were less than 10 and 20 nm in size, which is similar to those observed by TEM. The results of XPS spectra revealed that the microemulsion system can stabilize the silver nanoparticles from aggregation and provided supporting evidence for the polystyrene encapsulated silver nanoparticle structure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008.     

Chitosan nanoparticles for loading of toothpaste actives and adhesion on tooth analogs

Delivery and sustained release of toothpaste actives is an important but unexplored area. In this work, chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by a water‐in‐oil emulsion/glutaraldehyde crosslinking method. The typical number average diameter of chitosan and toothpaste active (cetylpyridiniumchloride and NaF) nanoparticles was within the range of 100–500 nm. The particles increased their size at higher pH value. The morphology, adherence, and stability of these nanoparticles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The size of the chitosan/NaF nanoparticles was doubled after they were stored at 4°C for 20 days, and then kept constant till 251 days, the examined time so far. These particles showed good stability in toothpaste lixivium after incubated at 60°C for 30 days too. By contrast, the chitosan/cetylpyridiniumchloride nanoparticles were easy to form floccules in the toothpaste lixivium. The loaded toothpaste actives showed a sustained released behavior for at least 10 h. All the particles could adhere onto the tooth analogs such as hydroxyapatite discs and glass slides in a simulated brushing and rinsing process. In vitro cell culture did not find any cytotoxicity of the as‐prepared chitosan nanoparticles. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Characterization of novel quaternary chitosan derivative nanoparticles loaded with protein

The objective of this work was to characterize a novel quaternary chitosan derivative [O‐(2‐hydroxyl) propyl‐3‐trimethyl ammonium chitosan chloride (O‐HTCC)] nanoparticle system. O‐HTCC nanoparticles were prepared with a simple and mild ionic gelation method upon the addition of a sodium tripolyphosphate solution to a low‐molecular‐weight O‐HTCC solution. Highly cationic chitosan nanoparticles were prepared. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), a model protein drug, was incorporated into the nanoparticles. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were determined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The results showed that increasing the BSA concentration from 1.5 to 2.5 mg/mL promoted the BSA encapsulation efficiency from 57.3% to 87.5% and the loading capacity from 70.2% to 99.5%. Compared with the chitosan nanoparticles, the O‐HTCC nanoparticles had lower burst release. TEM revealed that the BSA‐loaded O‐HTCC nanoparticles were smaller than the O‐HTCC nanoparticles when the BSA concentration was 1.5 mg/mL; SEM showed that the size of the BSA‐loaded O‐HTCC nanoparticles was mostly affected by the BSA concentration, and the increase in size occurred with the concentration increasing. Thermograms and XRD of the BSA‐loaded nanoparticles suggested that polyelectrolyte–protein interactions increased with the BSA concentration increasing and greater chain realignment in the BSA‐loaded nanoparticles. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of novel silver/L‐phenylalanine‐based optically active polyacrylate nanocomposite

Novel bioactive and optically active poly(N‐acryloyl‐L ‐phenylalanine) (PAPA) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. PAPA‐silver (Ag) nanocomposites have been successfully prepared via in situ reducing Ag⁺ ions anchored in the polymer chain using hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent in an aqueous medium. By controlling of the amount of Ag⁺ ions introduced, we have produced an organic/inorganic nanocomposite containing Ag nanoparticles with well controlled size. Nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. XRD pattern showed presence of Ag nanoparticles. The PAPA/Ag nanocomposites with 1 : 10 silver nitrate (AgNO₃) : PAPA ratio revealed the presence of well‐dispersed Ag nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. All of these Ag nanoparticles formed are spherical and more than 80% of them are in the range of 15–25 nm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Silver‐nanoparticle‐loaded chitosan lactate films with fair antibacterial properties

Food quality and safety are major concerns in the food industry. Antimicrobial packaging can be considered an emerging technology that could have a significant impact on life and food safety. Antimicrobial agents in food packaging can control the microbial population and target specific microorganisms to provide greater safety and higher quality products. In this work, a lactic acid grafted chitosan film was synthesized. Silver nanoparticles were loaded into the chitosan lactate (CL) film by equilibration in a silver nitrate solution, which was followed by citrate reduction. The presence of silver nanoparticles was confirmed with transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis of the film. The silver‐nanoparticle‐loaded CL film was investigated for its antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli. This newly developed material showed strong antibacterial properties and thus has potential for use as an antibacterial food‐packaging material. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Drug‐release behavior of chitosan‐g‐poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer matrix

Chitosan‐g‐poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) copolymers with different grafting percent were prepared by grafting water‐soluble PVA onto chitosan. The drug‐release behavior was studied using the chitosan‐g‐PVA copolymer matrix containing prednisolone in a drug‐delivery system under various conditions. The relationship between the amount of the released drug and the square root of time was linear. From this result, the drug‐release behavior through the chitosan‐g‐PVA copolymer matrix is shown to be consistent with Higuchi's diffusion model. The drug‐release apparent constant (K_H) was slightly decreased at pH 1.2, but increased at pH 7.4 and 10 according to the increasing PVA grafting percent. Also, K_H was decreased by heat treatment and crosslinking. The drug release behavior of the chitosan‐g‐PVA copolymer matrix was able to be controlled by the PVA grafting percent, heat treatment, or crosslinking and was also less affected by the pH values than was the chitosan matrix. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 458–464, 1999     

Chitosan–Polyelectrolyte complexation for the preparation of gel beads and controlled release of anticancer drug. I. Effect of phosphorous polyelectrolyte complex and enzymatic hydrolysis of polymer

Enzymic hydrolyzed chitosan was employed to prepare chitosan–tripolyphosphate and chitosan–polyphosphoric acid gel beads using a polyelectrolyte complexation method for the sustained‐release of anticancer agent, 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP). pH responsive swelling ability, drug‐release characteristics, and morphology of the chitosan gel bead depends on polyelectrolyte complexation mechanism and molecular weight of the enzymic hydrolyzed chitosan. The complexation mechanism of chitosan beads gelled in pentasodium tripolyphosphate or polyphosphoric acid solution was ionotropic crosslinking or interpolymer complex, respectively. The drug‐release patterns of all chitosan gel beads in pH 6.8 seemed to be diffusional based, which might be in accordance with the Higuchi model, whereas release profiles of the chitosan–tripolyphosphate gel beads in pH 1.2 medium seemed to be non‐Fickian diffusion controlled due to the swelling or matrix erosion of the beads. The rate of 6‐MP releasing from chitosan–tripolyphosphate or chitosan–polyphosphoric acid gel matrix were significantly increased with the decreased molecular weight of enzymic hydrolyzed chitosan. However, the dissolution rates of 6‐MP entraped in chitosan–tripolyphosphate and chitosan–polyphosphoric acid gel matrix were significantly slower than the dissolution rate of the original drug. These results indicate that the chitosan–polyphosphoric acid gel bead is a better polymer carrier for the sustained release of anticancer drugs in simulated intestinal and gastric juice medium than the chitosan–tripolyphosphate gel beads. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1868–1879, 1999     

Design of a drug delivery system based on poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/chitosan nanostructured hydrogels

To obtain biodegradable materials for biomedical applications, new biopolymeric hydrogels based on blends of polyacrylamide nanoparticles and chitosan have been prepared. In this work, we have studied the behavior of the diffusion of ascorbic acid (V‐C) from poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/chitosan nanostructured hydrogels. The process involves the synthesis of nanoparticles of polyacrylamide by inverse microemulsion polymerization and their complexation with chitosan dissolved in an acrylic acid aqueous solution. We have studied the effect of the concentration of the polyacrylamide nanoparticles, which are crosslinked with N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide, in the delivery of V‐C. The results indicate that the drug delivery operates by a non‐Fickian mechanism. Also, we have obtained the diffusion coefficient for V‐C in gels for different nanoparticle concentrations, using a modified form of Fick's second law that takes into account dimensional changes in the hydrogels during drug release. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Preparation and characterization of magnetite/hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanocomposite by in situ compositing method

Chitosan is an important kind of biomaterial that is widely used in medical applications. One of the key concerns about its use is the preparation of composites used for bone engineering. Aim of this study concerns the preparation of three‐dimensional nanocomposites having potential use in bone repair and regeneration. The magnetite/hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanocomposites were prepared via in situ compositing method by preparing precursor solutions and molds with chitosan membrane. These nanocomposites were characterized by chemical, spectroscopic, magnetic, and morphological methods. X‐ray diffraction analysis results demonstrate the formation of magnetite and hydroxyapatite in the chitosan matrix. FTIR analysis indicates that inorganic nanoparticles were chemically bound to the amino and hydroxyl groups in CS molecules. From TG/DTA data, it can be concluded that during preparation raw materials were almost perfectly incorporated into the nanocomposites, and the decrease in decomposition temperatures indicates the formation of chemical bonds between inorganic nanoparticles and chitosan molecules. TEM results show that the maximum size of inorganic particles in the magnetite/hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanocomposites was under 50 nm, and these particles were dispersed homogeneously in the chitosan matrix. From the magnetic measurement, it could be concluded that the nanocomposites were superparamagnetic, which is also the peculiarity of nanomagnetites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis,characterization of biomimetic phosphorylcholine‐bound chitosan derivative and in vitro drug release of their nanoparticles

Novel water‐soluble biomimetic phosphorylcholine (PC)—bound chitosan derivatives (N‐PCCs) with different degree of substitution (DS) via a phosphoramide linkage between glucosamine and PC were synthesized through Atherton‐Todd reaction under the mild conditions, and structurally characterized by ¹H‐NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Their DS ranged from ～ 16 to ～ 42 mol % based on the ¹H‐NMR spectra. All these N‐PCCs with decreased crystallization showed excellent solubility in the aqueous solutions within a wide pH range (1–12). DSC and TGA results revealed that the thermal stability of N‐PCCs decreased with the increase of DS value. Further, N‐PCCs nanoparticles could be still formed in a spherical shape similar to chitosan nanoparticles by ionic gelation technique, observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results suggested that the zeta potential value of N‐PCCs nanoparticles decreased with the DS value increasing. Using 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) as a model drug, in vitro drug release studies indicated that N‐PCCs nanoparticles exhibited a similar prolonged release profile as chitosan nanoparticles. The results suggested that N‐PCCs nanoparticles could be used as promising nanocarriers for drug delivery applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013