A smart microporous block copolymer membrane containing fluorescent europium complexes reports drug release through fluorescence changes

Abstract

If wound dressings can be pre-medicated and can actively sense in situ drugs, this technology will enable real-time monitoring of the effectiveness of wound dressings. In this work, a novel microporous fluorescence membrane (MPFM) was synthesized using Eu³⁺-induced diblock poly(styrene-co-acrylate acid) 2D nano-aggregates (EIP2As) with sensitive in situ drug release tracing properties. This membrane was synthesized by interfacial aggregation of an amphiphilic block copolymer polystyrene-block-polyacrylic acid at the gas–liquid interface, induced by doped Eu³⁺-complexes. The hybrid membrane has a uniform porous structure, making it a good drug carrier. Simultaneously with the delayed release of the drug, added piperine can quench the fluorescence of doped Eu³⁺-complexes, resulting in a monitorable fluorescence increase during drug release. The fluorescent Eu³⁺-complex and the drug are co-localized, enabling the visualization of the drug content in the membrane by translating the drug content into the fluorescence intensity of the microporous membrane. Compared with existing dressing materials, the MPFM has a unique ability to visualize the drug content, which brings great convenience to users, significantly increases the utilization efficiency of wound dressings, and greatly reduces the waste of medical materials. This novel membrane has the potential to be applied as a key layer material for wound dressings, as it can sense the drug loading content and trace drug release progress.