Research Specifications

Objective(s): In this research two pH-sensitive nanocomposites were prepared by intercalation of a new ionic liquid monomer (IL) between the montmorillomite (MMT) layers. These nanocomposites were used to delivery of methotrexate (MTX). Materials and Methods: A new IL with two acidic and vinylic functional groups based on 1,2,3-benzotriazolium cation was synthesized. This IL monomer was intercalated between the MMT layers by the ion exchange reaction and subsequently copolymerizaed with the IL monomer and methacrylic acid to obtain positive charge nanocomposites. The structure of the IL monomer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, and the structure of the nanocomposites were studied and confirmed by the FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) data. These pH-sensitive nanocarriers were used to load and in vitro release of the anticancer drug, MTX in pH=4 and pH= 7.4. Results: Drug loading of prepared nanocomposites was 81 and 89 %. The release study showed the amount of drug release was 99 % in pH=4 after 10 days. Conclusion: The results showed that the release is pH dependent and more effective in acidic pH; therefore, these nanocarriers have potential to be used for cancer therapy.