In-situ synthesis of polyacrylate grafted carboxymethyl guargum-carbon nanotube membranes for potential application in controlled drug delivery

Sustainable hydrophobic membranes were prepared in-situ from the composites of poly (diethylene glycol dimethacrylate) grafted carboxymethyl guargum (CMG-g-PDEGDMA)/carboxy functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT). The composite membranes were applied for transdermal delivery of hydrophobic diclofenac sodium. The uniform dispersion of f-MWCNT resulted into stronger-matrix filler interaction, particularly at 1 wt.% f-MWCNT concentration. The membrane was most hydrophobic and least drug eluting. At higher f-MWCNT loading i.e. at 2 and 3 wt.% the membranes were less hydrophobic and faster drug eluting as a consequence of relatively poor matrix-filler interaction and copolymer wrapping. The most hydrophobic formulation (1 wt.%) had released 16.4% of the encapsulated drug, while the least (3 wt.%) had released 42% after 20 h study in a Franz diffusion cell under physiological condition. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.