Cryomilling for the fabrication of doxorubicin-containing silica-nanoparticle/polycaprolactone nanocomposite films. Issue 5 (19th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Yu; Lim, Jing; Han, Yiyuan; Wang, Lifeng; Chong, Mark Seow Khoon; Teoh, Swee-Hin; Xu, Chenjie
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 8:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 2568
• Page End: 2574
• Publication Date: 2016-01-19
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07287e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : This report introduces a solvent-free method to fabricate bionanocomposite materials with homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles in the matrix by cryomilling. Abstract : Bionanocomposites need to have a homogeneous distribution of nanomaterials in the polymeric matrix to achieve consistent mechanical and biological functions. However, a significant challenge lies in achieving the homogeneous distribution of nanomaterials, particularly through a solvent-free approach. This report introduces a technology to address this need. Specifically, cryomilling, a solvent-free, low-temperature processing method, was applied to generate a bionanocomposite film with well-dispersed nanoparticles. As a proof-of-concept, polycaprolactone (PCL) and doxorubicin-containing silica nanoparticles (Si-Dox) were processed through cryomilling and subsequently heat pressed to form the PCL/Si-Dox (cPCL/Si-Dox) film. Homogeneous distribution of Si-Dox was observed under both confocal imaging and atomic force microscopy imaging. The mechanical properties of cPCL/Si-Dox were comparable to those of the pure PCL film. Subsequent in vitro release profiles suggested that sustained release of Dox from the cPCL/Si-Dox film was achievable over 50 days. When human cervical cancer cells were seeded directly on these films, uptake of Dox was observed as early as day 1 and significant inhibition of cell growth was recorded on day 5.