Electro-responsive transdermal drug delivery behavior of PVA/PAA/MWCNT nanofibers

The electro-responsive transdermal drug delivery system was prepared by electrospinning of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites. The surface modification of MWCNTs was carried out by oxyfluorination to introduce the functional groups on the hydrophobic MWCNTs. The dispersion of MWCNTs and the compatibility with polymer matrices were improved by oxyfluorination. The MWCNT content and oxyfluorination condition played important roles in the swelling and drug release characteristics of nanofibers. The conductivity of nanofibers increased by increasing the content of MWCNTs and performing oxyfluorination with higher oxygen content. Uniform distribution of the oxyfluorinated MWCNTs in the nanofibers was crucial to the electro-responsive swelling and drug releasing behaviors of nanofibers.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were dispersed more uniformly by oxyfluorination with higher oxygen content in the aqueous polymer phase for the efficiently controlled drug delivery system..Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► MWCNT nanocomposites were applied for the electro-responsive transdermal delivery.
► Oxyfluorination produced the hydrophilic groups on hydrophobic MWCNTs.
► The dispersion of MWCNT in polymer matrix was improved by oxyfluorination.
► The conductivity of nanocomposite increased by the oxyfluorinated MWCNT.
► Uniform dispersion of MWCNT was crucial to the electro-responsive delivery.