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

The 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.

Automated summary

The study evaluated pH-dependent drug release from PVP/PAN/Gr fibers using QCM, showing different drug release amounts at different pH levels, with higher release at pH 5.4.