Controlled syntheses of Mg-MOF-74 nanorods for drug delivery

Nanoscale Mg-MOF-74 materials with different sizes have been fabricated by controlling the crystallization process through a two-steps solvothermal method. The obtained samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption properties. The well-shaped Mg-MOF-74 nanorods with sizes of 200 nm were chosen for further drug carrier. The saturated loading capacity of Mg-MOF-74 nanorods for an anti-cancer drug of alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (CHC) was evaluated to 625 mg g(-1). After coating by polydopamine (PDA), the cytotoxicity experiments showed that Mg-MOF-74@PDA nanocomposites feature adequate biotolerability and no interference with cellular metabolism. These results indicated great potential of Mg-MOF-74@PDA nanocomposite as a new biomedical material for cellular drug delivery.

Automated summary

Nanoscale Mg-MOF-74 materials of different sizes were prepared through a two-step solvothermal method, with well-shaped nanorods of 200 nm selected for drug carrier. These nanorods demonstrated a high loading capacity for the anti-cancer drug CHC. After coating with PDA, cytotoxicity experiments showed the Mg-MOF-74@PDA nanocomposites to be biocompatible and non-interfering with cellular metabolism, highlighting their potential as a new biomedical material for cellular drug delivery.