Simple fabrication of silver hybridized porous chitosan-based patch for transdermal drug-delivery system

To improve the physiochemical properties of bio-patch materials, silver compounds of various concentrations were synthesized in chitosan solution and formed to silver hybridized porous chitosan structures. We examined various properties such as morphology, crystallization intensity, mechanical strength, hydrophilic ratio and drug-delivery efficiency. We ascertained that it was optimal to combine silver nitrate of 3%, chitosan of 1% (molecular weight <1000 kDa), and sodium borohydride of 0.003% for achieving high mechanical strength and drug-delivery efficiency. Drug release rate and hydrophilic ratio was increased due to silver concentration increment. Further, the initial drug release of the silver hybridized porous chitosan patch was approximately 1.5 times faster than that of the chitosan patch as control. These results indicate that silver hybridized porous chitosan patch can be widely used as sterilizing transdermal drug-delivery system (TDDS) in various fields.

► Effective 3D porous structured chitosan patch by high interconnectivity and minute pores between main pores by n-butanol as non-solvent.
► Functional chitosan patch by silver acetate as disinfectant and silver particles.
► Simply fabricated silver hybridized porous chitosan patch for effective transdermal drug-delivery system.