Role of graphene quantum dots synthesized through pyrolysis in the release behavior of temperature responsive poly (N,N-diethyl acrylamide) hydrogel loaded with doxorubicin

Abstract

We have reported the synthesis and characterization of new drug carrier using Poly (N,N-diethyl acrylamide) (PDEA) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). PDEA is a stimuli-responsive, macroporous polymer which has the ability to respond to change in surrounding temperature and addition of GQDs will help in improving the inherent characteristics of PDEA. In this research work, PDEA hydrogels along with GQDs have been synthesized by free radical polymerization. The effect of various concentrations of GQDs on the property of PDEA hydrogel was studied. The structural analysis of synthesized hydrogels was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR). The internal surface morphology of porous hydrogels was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. From the analysis, it has been observed that the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) and reswelling kinetics of the hydrogel significantly increased as the GQDs content was varied. The cancer drug (an anthracycline that is used for cancer chemotherapy) Doxorubicin (DOX) release behavior was studied and found that the performance of hydrogel is dependent on hydrogel composition, time, and surrounding temperature. The cytotoxicity of GQDs incorporated PDEA hydrogels gave a significant report which supports the potential application of hydrogel as an intelligent drug carrier.

Keywords:

• Hydrogels
• poly (N,N-diethyl acrylamide)
• graphene quantum dots
• doxorubicin
• cytotoxicity
• drug carriers

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.