LAUSR

Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. Abstract Sulindac loaded poly(HEMA) cross‐linked microparticles were synthesized via one‐pot free‐radical dispersion polymerisation in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) in presence of photocleavable diblock stabilisers based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) and poly(heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate) (PFDA) bearing a o‐nitrobenzyl photosensitive junction (hv) (PEO‐hv‐PFDA), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as cross‐linker. Poly(HEMA) cross‐linked microparticles either empty or sulindac loaded were obtained with well‐defined spherical morphology with the sizes between 250 and 350 nm. Additionally, upon UV‐photolysis the stabiliser on the surface was cleaved which permits to microparticles to be redispersed in water leading to water swollen microgels about 2.1–3.6 &mgr;m. Moreover, the release behaviour from obtained microgels indicated the sustained release of sulindac over 10 days. Besides, the surface modification after UV‐photolysis was studied and proved that the particles can be functionalised with further chemistries.