MOF-Based Polymeric Nanocomposite Films as Potential Materials for Drug Delivery Devices in Ocular Therapeutics

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c07517
• Publication Date: 2020-06-12T14:08:15Z
• Authors: J. Gandara-Loe; B. E. Souza; A. Missyul; G. Giraldo; J.-C. Tan; J. Silvestre-Albero
• Keywords: Inkjet Printing

Novel MOF-based polymer nanocomposite films were successfully prepared using Zr-based UiO-67 as a metal-organic framework (MOF) and polyurethane (PU) polymeric matrix. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD) analysis confirms the improved stability of embedded nanocrystals scanning electron microscopy images confirm their homogeneous distribution (average crystal size ~100-200 nm) within 50-um thick film. Accessibility to inner porous structure MOFs was completely suppressed for N2 at cryogenic temperatures. However, ethylene adsorption measurements 25{\deg}C that least 45% MOF crystals are fully accessible gas phase non-polar molecules. Although this partial blockage limits performance ocular drugs (e.g., brimonidine tartrate) compared pure MOF, an almost 60-fold improvement in capacity observed PU matrix after incorporation nanocrystals. UiO-67@PU exhibits prolonged release (up 14 days quantified). Finally, combined use SXRPD, thermogravimetric (TGA) FTIR confirmed presence drug film, upon loading, amorphous once adsorbed. These results open gate towards application these delivery optical therapeutics, either component contact lens, composition lacrimal stoppers punctal plugs) or sub-tenon inserts.