Porous silicon-cyclodextrin based polymer composites for drug delivery applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Porous silicon (PSi) is a versatile material for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery.
• PSi composites can exhibit unique properties not found in individual components, enhancing their utility.
• Cyclodextrin-based polymers are recognized for their efficacy in drug delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To functionalize nanoporous and macroporous PSi with β-cyclodextrin-citric acid polymer.
• To evaluate the drug release capabilities of these novel PSi composites.
• To compare the drug delivery performance of functionalized PSi with non-functionalized PSi.

Main Methods:

• In-situ polymerization of β-cyclodextrin-citric acid to functionalize PSi.
• Characterization using SEM, AFM, ATR-FTIR, XPS, water contact angle, and TGA.
• Drug release studies using ciprofloxacin and prednisolone in water and PBS.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis and characterization of PSi/β-cyclodextrin-citric acid polymer composites.
• Both nanoporous and macroporous PSi composites showed enhanced drug release control.
• The composites demonstrated controlled release of ciprofloxacin and prednisolone in different media.

Conclusions:

• PSi/β-cyclodextrin-citric acid polymer composites are effective platforms for controlled drug delivery.
• Functionalization of PSi significantly improves its drug release characteristics.
• These composites hold promise for advanced pharmaceutical applications.