Hydrogel-clay Nanocomposites as Carriers for Controlled Release

Abstract

The present review aims to summarize the research efforts undertaken in the last few years in the development and testing of hydrogel-clay nanocomposites proposed as carriers for controlled release of diverse drugs. Their advantages, disadvantages and different compositions of polymers/biopolymers with diverse types of clays, as well as their interactions are discussed. Illustrative examples of studies regarding hydrogel-clay nanocomposites are detailed in order to underline the progressive researches on hydrogel-clay-drug pharmaceutical formulations able to respond to a series of demands for the most diverse applications. Brief descriptions of the different technique used for the characterization of the obtained complex hybrid materials such as: swelling, TGA, DSC, FTIR, XRD, mechanical, SEM, TEM and biology tests, are also included. Enlightened by the presented data, we can suppose that hydrogel-clay nanocomposites will still be a challenging subject of global assiduous researches. We can dare to dream to an efficient drug delivery platform for the treatment of multiple affection concomitantly, these being undoubtedly like "a tree of life" bearing different kind of fruits and leafs proper for human healing.

Assessment of Naturally Sourced Mineral Clays for the 3D Printing of Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Inks

“…The change of the clay basal spacing (d 001 ) indicates the structure of GelMA-clay nanocomposites. Therefore, intercalation and/or exfoliation of composites was achieved as a consequence of GelMA insertion between silicate nanolayers [44,66]. The XRD profiles of all resulting nanocomposite samples indicated a decrease in 2θ values and, consequently, an increase in the d-spacing.…”

“…Several studies demonstrated that an intercalated or exfoliated state of clay generates different rheological behaviors of nanocomposite formulations. Conversely, the dispersion state of clay layers in polymers can be evaluated by analyzing the viscosity and the shear thinning exponent [44]. All synthesized inks exhibited shear thinning behavior with increasing shear rate ( Figure 6).…”

“…Their unique features make natural clays promising candidates in tissue engineering. The incorporation of functionalized natural clay nanoparticles into hydrogel inks/3D printed scaffolds could lead to a sustained release of different polar/non-polar drugs at the target sites [44,45,52,[54][55][56][57].…”

3D Printing of Alginate-Natural Clay Hydrogel-Based Nanocomposites

“…With respect to the compounding route, nanoclays were widely used for the development of injectable biomaterials, among different inorganic fillers [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. These hydrophilic, layered silicates have the advantages of high surface area, tailorable surface chemistry and good biocompatibility [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Moreover, their outstanding ability to modulate flow properties, combined with their remarkable capacity to stabilize suspensions and emulsions, are excellent features of interest in the design and development of 3D-printing nanomaterials [ 19 , 20 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Progress of 3D Bioprinting in Organ Manufacturing

“…Many studies have shown that nano clay particles have important values in regenerative medicine, with respect to cell adhesion and diffusion, and controlled drug release [ 160 ]. Clay has been proved to be an excellent filler and can be designed as a new hydrogel for 3D bioprinting.…”