Characterization and Application of Nanomaterials (2018) Volume 1 doi:10.24294/can.v1i4.791 1 Synthesis and Characterization Methods of Polymeric Nanoparticles Aslı Katmıs, Serap Fide, Seyma Karaismailoglu, Serap Derman Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgy Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220, Istanbul/Turkey ABSTRACT This review is provided a detailed overview of the different synthesis and characterization methods of polymeric nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are defined as solid and colloidal particles of macromolecular substances ranging in size under 100 nm. Different type of nanoparticles are used in many biological areas (bio-sensing, biological separation, molecular imaging, anticancer therapy, etc.). The new features and functions provided with nano dimensions are largely different from their bulk forms. High volume/surface ratio, improved resolution and multifunctional capability make these materials gain many new features. Keywords: Nanoparticle; Polymer; Synthesis Methods; Characterization Methods; Particle Size 1. Introduction Nanoparticles are defined as solid and colloidal particles of macromolecular substances ranging in size under 100 nm [1,2]. There are different application areas that led to the exploration of different nano compositions.For instance they are able to polymeric NPs, biological NPs, lipid-based NPs and metal-based NPs [3-6] .Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers are used for preparation of the polymeric nanoparticles. Polymers are used as biomaterials because of their useful properties such as good biocompatibility, biodegradability, easy preparation and design, various chemical structures and interesting biological imitation character [7] . Most polymeric NPs are biodegradability and biocompatible, and over the accomplished few decades, researches accept had sample absorption in developing biodegradable NPs as a drug- delivery system [8] . These biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles coated with hydrophilic polymers known as long period of time circulating particles, have been used as potential drug delivery vehicles by the reason of their ability to controlled drug release for a long time. Polymeric nanoparticles have the ability to deliver drugs, proteins, peptides, and antigens and they can be targeted to particular organ. Additionally, they can be used as DNA transporters in gene therapy [9-11] . There are many biodegradable polymers that can be produced from proteins such as milk proteins and gelatin; polysaccharides such as starch, chitosan and sodium alginate; and synthetic polymers such as polymethylmethacrylate,poly (cyanoacrylate) PCA,poly--caprolactone (PCL), poly (lactic acid)(PLA), poly (D, L-glycolic acid) (PGA),and their copolymer of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) PLGAare used in preparing nanoparticular systems [12] . Nanoparticles which obtained by using natural or synthetic polymers have two major advantages for targeting of proteins, peptides and genes, as well as drugs. The first of these properties is that the nanoparticles have small particle sizes. In this way, they pass more easily than small capillaries, are easier to enter intracellular and extracellular spaces [13] , and release effective active substance in the target region [14, 15] .The second properties is that using of biodegradable materials in the preparation of nanoparticles. Biodegradable materials provide controlled release of active substance in the target tissue for days tofurther weeks.In addition to all these, nanoparticles have good deal of advantages that can be; Nanoparticles have a protective effect against the enzymatic degradation of active substances such as drugs, proteins or peptides in the biological system. They also increase their stability and reduce side effects [13, 14] . Copyright © 2018 Aslı Katmıs et al. doi: 10.24294/can.v1i4.791 EnPress Publisher LLC.This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/