Graphene Quantum Dots Embedded MOF-199 Coated with Biodegradable Polymer for Wound Healing Application

Abstract

Globally chronic wounds are substantial health and economic concerns for patients due to the difficulties in wound prolonged healing and increasing cost of wound management. In the following research, we designed and characterized multi-functional co-polymer material, synthesized from safe, non-toxic, biocompatible, and eco-friendly materials. The biodegradable system was effectively synthesized with the help of chitosan, MOF-199, and graphene quantum dots, to deliver water insoluble, ant-inflammatory ibuprofen as a model drug, without using external chemical reagents. The pre-synthesized graphene quantum dots were made from naturally occurring L-glutamic acid, and were imbedded into the MOF-199, synergistically increasing the ibuprofen loading efficiency to 58.3% from 41.8% due to increase in pore surface area and presence of amine functional group of graphene quantum dots electrostatically bonding with ibuprofen hydroxyl groups. The release of the ibuprofen was conducted in simulated body fluid in PBS buffer solution (pH 7.4) at 37 oC at different interval for 72 hours, where we achieved a control and steady drug release on to the simulated fluid by coating the MOF-199/GQD composite with chitosan causing capping effect and increasing the unloading time of the drug delivery system, total 50.97% of the drug was released in 72 hours for chitosan@IBU@GQD@MOF-199 system. The characterization techniques we used in the above research were SEM, XRD, FTIR and zeta potential analysis, that proved the successful synthesis of chitosan@IBU@GQD@MOF-199, the smooth surface morphology, the interaction between ibuprofen, graphene quantum dots, MOF-199, and chitosan functional groups, and structural stability of MOF-199 while forming polymer composite with chitosan, graphene quantum dots and loading of ibuprofen. By using GQD@MOF-199 composite the drug loading amount increased, enhancing the overall dosage of the pain killer for wound healing and hence the prepared product could be an important candidate in the field of medical care products, especially wound healing application that require large amount of dosage for long durations, which can be achieved through control drug release.