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Published on: July 9, 2015
Nanoporous polymeric nanofibers based on selectively etched PS-b-PDMS block copolymers
Gokcen B Demirel1, Fatih Buyukserin, Michael A Morris
1Bio-inspired Materials Research Laboratory (BIMREL), Department of Chemistry, Gazi University, 06500 Ankara, Turkey.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 24, 2011
Summary
Researchers created nanoporous polymer nanofibers using a simple etching method. These nanofibers effectively deliver drugs, with ultrasound enhancing release and dosage control.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes serve as templates for fabricating nanostructures.
- Block copolymers offer tunable properties for advanced material design.
- Nanoporous materials are crucial for drug delivery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate one-dimensional nanoporous polymeric nanofibers.
- To investigate the potential of these nanofibers as drug carriers.
- To explore ultrasound-triggered drug release mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polystyrene-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PS-b-PDMS) block copolymers within an AAO template.
- Selective etching of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) domains to create porosity.
- Utilizing Rhodamine B (RB) as a model drug for release studies.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized solid PS-b-PDMS nanofibers within AAO.
- Achieved highly porous polystyrene (PS) nanofibers with 20-50 nm pore sizes after etching.
- Demonstrated continuous and pulsatile drug release of RB from the nanoporous fibers.
- Observed enhanced and tunable drug release kinetics upon ultrasound irradiation.
Conclusions:
- A facile method for creating 1D nanoporous polymer nanofibers was developed.
- The fabricated nanofibers show promise as effective drug delivery systems.
- Ultrasound irradiation offers a method for controlling drug release rates and dosages.
