Background
β‐cyclodextrin modified g‐C3N4 (β‐CD/g‐C3N4) nanosheets were successfully synthesized and developed as a novel drug carrier of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX•HCl). The prepared samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The drug‐loading and drug release was measured by a UV–visible spectrophotometer. Moreover, cell viability tests were carried out to evaluate the inhibition ratio of β‐CD/g‐C3N4‐DOX•HCl and bulk g‐C3N4‐DOX•HCl.
Results
The FTIR result confirmed that β‐CD and g‐C3N4 are linked by hydrogen bonds. The XRD and TEM results showed that β‐CD/g‐C3N4 has nanosheet structure with size range 150–300 nm. The drug‐loading ratio rises sharply in the first 14 h and reaches a maximum of 93%. Moreover, β‐CD/g‐C3N4 nanocomplex showed a pH‐responsive DOX•HCl release with a release ratio of 80% at pH = 5, which is two times higher than that of bulk g‐C3N4. Cell viability tests demonstrated that the β‐CD/g‐C3N4‐DOX•HCl exhibit a higher inhibition ratio on MG63 cells than bulk g‐C3N4‐DOX•HCl.
Conclusion
β‐CD/g‐C3N4 nanocomplex achieves an ultrahigh drug‐loading capacity and pH‐responsive release and visualization of the cell phagocytic process. The results indicate that the β‐CD/g‐C3N4 nanocomplex can be developed as a promising luminescence carrier for drug delivery. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry