Graphene Oxide Incorporated Nanohybrid Aerogels as New Generation Drug Carrier Platforms

By combining the superior capacity of graphene oxide with alginate matrix in a nanohybrid aerogel structure, great potential can be developed for technical features and use in areas such as biomedicine. The aim of this study is the production of graphene oxide incorporated nanohybrid aerogels using ambient pressure drying technique for drug loading and release. The produced nanostructures were identified with electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and spectroscopic techniques. The surface area of the nanomaterials was examined by methylene blue method. Drug adsorption capacity of the nanohybrid aerogels was investigated by conducting batch adsorption studies using the model drug diclofenac sodium (DS). The equilibrium time of drug adsorption was determined and adsorption kinetics were modeled. The adsorption equilibrium time of the drug on the adsorbent was found to be 3 h. Equilibrium data were modeled by using the Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherms and according to the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 20.83 mg/g. Results showed the potential of the produced nanohybrid aerogels to be used as drug adsorbents for drug delivery applications. The results obtained from this study will be useful in drug production and treatment.