Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Poor adherence to chronic disease therapies limits treatment efficacy.
• Controlled drug release systems, like membranes and patches, offer a promising solution.
• Electrospun nanofibrous membranes provide a versatile platform for drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous membranes reinforced with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs).
• To evaluate the potential of these composite membranes for biomedical applications, specifically transdermal drug delivery systems.
• To assess the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the developed membranes.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes with varying concentrations of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs).
• Characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
• Cytotoxicity assessment using peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Main Results:

• Nanofibers with diameters below 100 nm were successfully fabricated, exhibiting microsphere inclusions due to electrospinning expansion.
• Spectroscopic and mechanical analyses confirmed molecular interactions between the PCL matrix and f-MWCNTs.
• Biological tests indicated that the membranes are biocompatible, with both f-MWCNT dispersion and nanofiber sizing contributing to this property.

Conclusions:

• The developed f-MWCNT-reinforced PCL nanofibrous membranes are biocompatible and possess suitable properties for biomedical applications.
• These membranes show significant potential for use in advanced drug-delivery systems, particularly for transdermal applications.
• The findings support the use of these composite membranes to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient adherence in chronic disease management.