The reinforced hydrogel for drug loading: immobilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes in cross-linked polymers via multiple interactions

Abstract

We report a facile method to prepare novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-based hydrogels in an aqueous environment. To maximize the bonding between nanotubes and polymers, we exploited several non-covalent interactions like ionic, π–π stacking, hydrophobic, H-bonding, etc. Importantly, the nano-hydrogels swell in both water and organic solvents. The materials showed improvements in various physicochemical properties. The new material is fairly biocompatible, as shown by MTT assay studies. It is also a useful material to load a water-soluble drug or micronutrient such as riboflavin (vitamin B2) or amitriptyline hydrochloride. The releasing study of the drug clearly showed pH responsive behaviour.