Photothermally enhanced drug release by κ-carrageenan hydrogels reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Temperature and near infrared (NIR) light responsive multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/κ-carrageenan hydrogel composites have been prepared. The effects of the MWCNTs on the microstructure, strength, swelling and release properties of the resultant materials were investigated. MWCNTs acted as reinforcing fillers and enhanced the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, the effect being mostly nanotube concentration dependent. Surface functionalization of nanotubes had a major 10 influence on the swelling of the composites. The increased release of a model drug (methylene blue) in in vitro conditions, from κ-carrageenan hydrogel composites due to NIR photothermal effect of MWCNTs was demonstrated at the physiological temperature. Thus, these composites are promising materials for the development of carriers for remotely activated drug delivery.

Synthesis of carrageenan/multi-walled carbon nanotube hybrid hydrogel nanocomposite for adsorption of crystal violet from aqueous solution

“…To date, cross-linking techniques have been used to increase mechanical strength of hydrogels, but these techniques result in only a moderate enhancement and sometimes even a lowered adsorption capacity 9 . Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received special interest as one of the most promising nano-fi llers into polymer matrices for enhancement of its mechanical property [10][11][12] . In fact, as a result of the early report concerning the preparation of a CNTs/polymer composite by Ajayan et al 13 , many efforts have been made to combine CNTs and polymers to produce functional composite materials with superior properties 14, 15 .…”

Design of Nanoparticle-Based Carriers for Targeted Drug Delivery

“…Nanotubes have been used as hybrid drug carries, where the antitumor drug is released only in a specific site when bombarded with near-infrared radiation and the NPs are heated up. This can help to limit drug release to the tumor site and protect healthy tissue 31,32 .…”

Eco-friendly and cost-effective superabsorbent sodium polyacrylate composites for environmental remediation

“…They can absorb solutions quickly by swelling porous structure networks to reduce mass-transfer resistance, and different functional groups (e.g., hydroxy, carboxylic acid, amine, amidoxime, and sulfonic acid groups) are present on the polymer chains that enable coordination and chelation with the metal ions [13,14]. Due to their low-cost, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility, SAPs with different natural and synthesized fillers have been widely used in water purification and applications for the recovery of metal ions [13,[15][16][17]. Zheng et al incorporated starch and humic substances into polymer hydrogels, and a series of starch-g-poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate (St-g-PAA/SH) hydrogels were synthesized for Cu(II) adsorption from the aqueous solution [18].…”