Mechanoresponsive system based on sub-micron chitosan-functionalized ferromagnetic disks

Abstract

We report a doxorubicin loaded chitosan biopolymer–ferromagnetic disks hybrid system capable of on-demand magnetomechanically induced release of drug molecules. Gold covered ferromagnetic disks were encapsulated into the polymer scaffold through the assembly of the thiolated chitosan on the disk's gold surface followed by entrapping of the doxorubicin drug within a cross-linked polymer matrix. We demonstrate that the release process can be effectively tuned and controlled by varying the magnetic field characteristics: orientation, amplitude, frequency and duration.