Electrospinning of Polymer Nanocomposites for Transdermal Drug Delivery Application

Abstract

Polyamide 6/tallow modified clay (PA6/TMC) nanocomposite fibers were prepared by electrospinning technique. The effect of PA6 concentration and incorporation of various loadings of TMC on the physical properties (viscosity, and conductivity values) of the polymer solutions as well as on the properties of the produced nanofibers were studied. The results showed that incorporation of TMC at only (1% w/w ratio) into PA6 significantly enhanced morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the produced electrospun nanocomposite fibrous mat. Formation of intercalated nanostructures were suggested and further confirmed from the results of XRD, TEM, and mechanical testing. The fabricated nanofibrous mat was employed to produce drug delivery templates through post spinning modification approach. Bilayer hybrid materials of nanofibers coupled with hydrogels of ionically cross-linked alginate, and physically crosslinked PVA or a mixture of PVA, and sodium alginate (NaAlg) were developed. Doxycyline hydrochloride as a potent antibiotic was loaded into the hydrogel layer by either adsorption or active loading methods and the loaded materials were further assessed as drug delivery vehicles. The release profiles were investigated in both of PBS (pH 7.4, physiological pH) and acetate buffer (pH 5.5, skin pH) and it was noticed that the drug release was controlled mainly by structural factors. Fast release was achieved from fibers – CaAlg in both PBS and acetate buffer due to degradation of CaAlg layer while a relatively slower release was noticed from either physically crosslinked fibers – PVA or fibers – PVA/NaAlg.