Issue 7, 2021

Unconventional and facile production of a stimuli-responsive multifunctional system for simultaneous drug delivery and environmental remediation

Abstract

Herein, pH-responsive poly 4-hydroxyphenyl methacrylate single-walled carbon nanotube (PHPMA-SWCNT = f-CNT)/PE nanocomposite (NCST) fiber membranes were developed for stimuli-responsive drug delivery and the selective removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewater. The NCST fiber membranes were primed using Forcespinning®, followed by a heat pressure method. The obtained NCST membranes exhibited several favorable properties of nanocarriers and nanoadsorbents. The composite membrane displayed record-high tensile strength (13.7 ± 3.2 GPa), Young's modulus (243.3 ± 5.2 GPa), and toughness (1421 J g−1). This represents the strongest and stiffest composite material among all the reported nanocomposites to date. A hydrophobic drug molecule (curcumin (Cur))-encapsulated NCST membrane displayed a pH-mediated Cur release in a controlled manner. The NCST membrane displayed excellent cell viability against human osteoblast cells. Owing to the f-CNT incorporation, the composite membrane exhibited excellent adsorption capability for Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. The selectivity adsorption test indicated that NCST fibers possess a higher affinity towards both Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewater comprising multiple interfering ions. The NCST adsorbent presented a high adsorption capacity for Pb2+ (213.18 mg g−1) and Cd2+ (165.37 mg g−1) under an optimal pH of 6.0 at room temperature. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies of the adsorbent revealed that the adsorption experiments obeyed the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm model. After six adsorption/desorption cycles, the adsorbent could still maintain its adsorption efficiency. Nonetheless, the robust composite membranes with inherent stimuli-responsive drug delivery and heavy metal adsorption properties can be considered promising multifunctional nanomaterials for biomedical applications and environmental remediation.

Graphical abstract: Unconventional and facile production of a stimuli-responsive multifunctional system for simultaneous drug delivery and environmental remediation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 apr 2021
Accepted
24 may 2021
First published
25 may 2021

Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 2081-2097

Unconventional and facile production of a stimuli-responsive multifunctional system for simultaneous drug delivery and environmental remediation

N. Mamidi, R. M. V. Delgadillo and J. V. Castrejón, Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021, 8, 2081 DOI: 10.1039/D1EN00354B

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