Preparation, Characterization and Drug Release Studies from Poly(D,L-lactic acid)/organoclay Nanocomposite Films

Abstract

Biocompatible/biodegradable poly(D,L-lactic acid)/layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared by the solution-intercalation film casting technique. The obtained nanocomposites present a shift of glass transition temperature (T_g) to higher values. An increase in the onset temperature of thermal degradation (T_onset) was also observed by TGA. Hydrolytic degradation of PLA nanocomposites becomes apparent after the first 3 months of immersion of specimens into deionized water. Drug release studies from PLA/organoclay nanocomposite membranes showed slightly faster release behavior in comparison with unreinforced specimens containing 5 phr guaifenesin (GFN), whereas the different organic clay modifications studied in this work, did not seem to have any effect in the release profile of GFN.

Keywords:

• Nanocomposites
• organoclay
• drug release
• biodegradable polymers
• poly(lactic acid)