Development and Characterization of Drug‐Loaded PVP/PAN/Gr Electrospun Fibers for Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of the present study is to evaluate the pH‐dependent drug release from polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/graphene (Gr) (P1) fibers using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Electrospun fibers for poorly water‐soluble drugs were prepared on the QCM electrode surface through the electrospinning with P1 as the fiber‐forming polymer and drug carrier system and ibuprofen (Ibu) as the model drug. Characterization of the fibers is practiced by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)‐differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and water contact angle measurements. The in vitro release kinetic studies of the Ibu were studied using QCM and UV‐vis spectroscopy. The drug delivery properties of the fibers of PVP/PAN/Gr with 5 wt % Ibu (P2) and PVP/PAN/Gr with 10 wt % Ibu (P3) were measured at pH 5.4 and 7.4. In pH 5.4, the cumulative drug release of 19.5 % was procured from the P3 fiber within 24 h, on the other hand; the cumulative drug release of 16 % was acquired in pH 7.4.