Bio-nanocomposite films based on carbon nanotubes as platforms in controlled drug release systems

A. SCHWENGBER; H. J. PRADO; P. R. BONELLI; A. L. CUKIERMAN

Rosario

Congreso; 2° Reunión Internacional de Ciencias Farmacéuticas (RICiFA); 2012

Facultad de Bioquímica y Farmacia UNR

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) functionalized with carboxylic groups and commercial agarose were employed. Ultrasound assisted dispersion of MWCNT in water was studied. Bio-nanocomposite films were prepared by a water casting technique, by evaporation without the addition of any dispersing agent. Different MWCNT-biopolymer mass ratios were assayed in the range 0.005-0.16.  The optimal time for ultrasound assisted dispersion of MWCNT was 20 minutes. The resulting bio-nanocomposite films, as observed through SEM, showed good dispersion of MWCNT. The latter were covered by agarose in all cases. The addition of MWCNT improved mechanical properties, reaching an increase of 40% in the Young´s modulus for a mass ratio of 0.01; a greater addition of MWCNT did not result in further improvements. The electrical conductivity of the bio-nanocomposite films increased more than 250 times for a mass ratio of 0.16. The drug charge efficiency depended on the mass ratio, reaching a maximum of 53% for a ratio of 0.005.  The bio-nanocomposite films based on MWCNT and agarose present promising properties for their potential application for passive and electromodulated controlled drug release systems. The optimal time for ultrasound assisted dispersion of MWCNT was 20 minutes. The resulting bio-nanocomposite films, as observed through SEM, showed good dispersion of MWCNT. The latter were covered by agarose in all cases. The addition of MWCNT improved mechanical properties, reaching an increase of 40% in the Young´s modulus for a mass ratio of 0.01; a greater addition of MWCNT did not result in further improvements. The electrical conductivity of the bio-nanocomposite films increased more than 250 times for a mass ratio of 0.16. The drug charge efficiency depended on the mass ratio, reaching a maximum of 53% for a ratio of 0.005.  The bio-nanocomposite films based on MWCNT and agarose present promising properties for their potential application for passive and electromodulated controlled drug release systems. The optimal time for ultrasound assisted dispersion of MWCNT was 20 minutes. The resulting bio-nanocomposite films, as observed through SEM, showed good dispersion of MWCNT. The latter were covered by agarose in all cases. The addition of MWCNT improved mechanical properties, reaching an increase of 40% in the Young´s modulus for a mass ratio of 0.01; a greater addition of MWCNT did not result in further improvements. The electrical conductivity of the bio-nanocomposite films increased more than 250 times for a mass ratio of 0.16. The drug charge efficiency depended on the mass ratio, reaching a maximum of 53% for a ratio of 0.005.  The bio-nanocomposite films based on MWCNT and agarose present promising properties for their potential application for passive and electromodulated controlled drug release systems.