Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate Micro Particles using Emulsion Membrane Process Applied for Drug Release Studies

The aim of this work is the synthesis of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nano and microparticles and their application as biomaterials (vehicles) for the sustained release of doxycycline. CaCO3 micro particles were synthesized by water-in oil (W/O) emulsion method using emulsion liquid membranes with bis (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (D2EHPA) as carrier, Span 80 as surfactant, and toluene and kerosene as organic solvents. The aqueous phases contained 1 M CaCl2, and 1 M Na2CO3, respectively. The Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) data showed CaCO3 particles with sizes ranging from around 100 nm to 3500 nm. The CaCO3 particles with the average diameters around 600 nm attained an adsorbtion of doxycycline of maximum 97.9%, and a slow and steady release with a cumulative value of approximative 50% after ten days.