A pH-responsive magnetic graphene oxide-based nanocomposite for doxorubicin delivery: adsorption and release kinetics studies
Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026),
26 January 2026
,
Page 418-432
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijps.v22i1.51173
Abstract
Nanotechnology offers effective strategies for the development of controlled drug delivery systems, among which pH-responsive nanocarriers have received considerable attention due to their ability to modulate drug release in tumor-associated acidic environments while limiting systemic toxicity. In this study, a pH-responsive magnetic graphene oxide–based nanocarrier was fabricated for the loading and controlled release of doxorubicin (DOX). Carboxylated graphene oxide (CGO) was decorated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and subsequently functionalized with taurine (Tau) and glucosamine (Glu) to improve surface properties and drug–carrier interactions.
The structural, morphological, textural, and magnetic characteristics of the resulting Fe₃O₄@CGO–Tau/Glu nanosystem were investigated using FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, BET/BJH, and VSM analyses. The results confirmed successful surface functionalization, preservation of the crystalline structure of Fe₃O₄, enhanced dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles, and a transition toward a more uniform mesoporous structure with increased specific surface area and pore volume. The nanocomposite exhibited superparamagnetic behavior, supporting its magnetic responsiveness.
The influence of pH on DOX adsorption was systematically examined, revealing a maximum loading efficiency at pH 8, attributed to electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged nanocarrier surface and the cationic form of DOX. Adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting that surface interactions dominate the loading process. In vitro release studies demonstrated pronounced pH-dependent release behavior, with faster and higher cumulative release under tumor-mimicking acidic conditions (pH 5.6) than under physiological pH (7.4). Nonlinear kinetic modeling showed that the Korsmeyer–Peppas and Peppas–Sahlin models provided the best fits to the release data, with analysis indicating that Fickian diffusion is the predominant rate-controlling mechanism, with a minor contribution from matrix relaxation or erosion.
The developed Fe₃O₄@CGO–Tau/Glu nanosystem demonstrates a favorable drug-loading capacity and pH-responsive release characteristics, highlighting its potential as a platform for controlled DOX delivery. Further investigations under more complex biological conditions are warranted to assess its biosafety, stability, and therapeutic performance.
- Adsorption
- kinetics
- release
- pH-sensitive
- graphene oxide
- nanocomposite
How to Cite
References
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