synthesis of a New Magnetic Drug Carrier Based on Poly(vinyl alcohol):Synthesis, Characterization, and Drug Release Studies

Recent developments in nanotechnology have allowed new research strategies to flourish in the field of drug delivery. There has been considerable interest in developing nanoparticles as effective drug delivery carriers [1]. The use of nanoparticles as carrier systems for drugs and bioactive molecules has been investigated during the last few years with the aim of improving the therapeutic effect and administration of the drugs, and also to reduce their side effects [2]. Delivery of drugs can be achieved by using various nanostructures including liposomes, polymers, dendrimers, silicon or carbon materials, and magnetic nanoparticles [3]. Among these materials, the use of magnetic nanoparticles and especially super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in development of drug delivery systems for controlled release of drugs has received an increasing attention [4]. The rising interest towards iron oxide nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles is a consequence of their low toxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility and reactive surface that can be readily modified with biocompatible coatings [5]. In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a biodegradable and biocompatible polymerwas modified for use as drug delivery carrier. In the first step, PVA was modified by APTES and then underwent crosslinking using 1,2-dichloroethane. On the other hand, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were reacted with TEOS and modified with hexamethylene diisocyanate. The modified MNPs were reacted with the free hydroxyl groups of the crosslinked PVA to obtain the final magnetic carrier. A template drug was used in order to study the drug release ability of the prepared carrier. The carrier was also characterized using different analyses such as FT-IR, TGA, SEM and VSM techniques.