Characterisation and drug release performance of biodegradable chitosan-graphene oxide nanocomposites

Richard Justin, Biqiong Chen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

187 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Biodegradable chitosan-graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites possess improved mechanical properties and drug delivery performance over chitosan and could prove to be a viable, controlled and pH-sensitive transdermal drug delivery system. Chitosan nanocomposites containing varying GO contents and drug loading ratios were investigated. The nanocomposite with 2 wt % GO provided the optimal combination of mechanical properties and drug-loading capacity. It offered a faster and a more substantial release of drug than chitosan as well as a slower biodegradation rate, owing to the abundant oxygenated functional groups, hydrophilicity and large specific surface area of GO sheets. The drug delivery profiles of the nanocomposite were dependent on the drug loading ratio, with 0.84:1 being the best ratio of drug to GO for a quick and high release of the loaded drug. The nanocomposite also demonstrated pH sensitivity of drug release, releasing 48% less drug in an acidic condition than in a neutral environment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)70-80
Number of pages11
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume103
Early online date12 Dec 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2014

Keywords

  • Chitosan
  • Graphene oxide
  • nanocomposite
  • transdermal drug delivery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics

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