Advancing Drug Delivery: Design and Applications of MOF-Polyurethane Composites for Controlled Release Systems

The design and development of controlled-release drug systems represent a pivotal area of research in modern pharmaceutical technologies. An ideal drug release system should precisely regulate both the release rate and duration of the drug, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy, reducing dose frequency, and minimizing adverse effects. In recent years, nanomaterials have become integral to drug delivery, with nanotechnology focusing on the design and application of nanomaterials. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising drug carriers due to their high specific surface area, tunable porosity, and selective adsorption capabilities. However, MOFs often exhibit limited thermal stability, susceptibility to degradation, and sensitivity to acidic and basic conditions. To address these limitations, the integration of MOFs with polymers has shown promising potential. MOF-polymer composites can enhance drug loading capacity, improve drug solubility, and provide greater thermal stability while mitigating adverse reactions. Polyurethane (PU) is widely employed as a drug carrier due to its unique chemical properties and biodegradability. However, PU alone may lead to issues such as burst drug release and vulnerability to fungal colonization. Consequently, MOF-PU composites have garnered significant attention as advanced drug carriers, leveraging the synergistic properties of both materials to overcome their individual limitations. This review explores the definition, preparation methods, advantages, and application domains of MOF-PU composites, with a particular emphasis on their role as drug carriers. The objective is to provide a comprehensive reference for ongoing and future research into the utilization of MOF-PU composites in drug delivery systems.