Controlled drug release characteristics and enhanced antibacterial effect of graphene oxide–drug intercalated layered double hydroxide hybrid films

Abstract

Novel graphene oxide–benzylpenicillin (BP) anion intercalated Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (GO–BP-LDH) hybrid films were prepared via a simple solvent evaporation process. The release behaviour of BP anions and the antibacterial activity have also been investigated. The release time can be tailored by adjusting the film composition and increased by decreasing the GO/BP-LDH mass ratio. By applying release kinetic models to the drug release processes, the mechanism of release of BP anions from the GO–BP-LDH hybrid film was found to follow the first-order model. In addition, the hybrid film exhibited an enhanced synergistic antibacterial effect compared with the single GO film, which can be attributed to the combination of the antibacterial activity of GO and BP anions released from the hybrid film system.