Formulation of Fe3O4/acrylate co-polymer nanocomposites as potential drug carriers

Magnetic nanocomposite particles were synthesized by encapsulating nanosized magnetite with an acrylate-based cationic co-polymer made of MMA, BA, and QMA and modifying with MeOPEGMA using the water replacement method. The composition of the co-polymer formulation was optimized based on zeta-potential measurements and freeze-thaw stability. Electrostatic interaction between negatively charged model drug aspirin and positively charged co-polymer plays the most important role in drug loading and in vitro release studies. Drug release exhibited a biphasic profile with an initial burst release followed by a prolonged slow release, which could be potentially useful for target and controlled drug delivery.