Functionalization of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes–Silver Nanoparticle (MWCNTs-AgNPs) as a Drug Delivery System for Ibuprofen

Nanoparticle utilization for the prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of diseases is widely known as one of the medicine branches, nanomedicine. The ability to penetrate the higher space between cells and cell walls makes nanoparticles have the potential to be used as a drug delivery system (DDS). Furthermore, various techniques can be combined with nanoparticles due to their flexibility. AgNPs are one of the interesting nanoparticles to be developed into DDS. It is because they can improve antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and physicochemical properties. In addition, AgNPs have biocompatibility that can improve drug delivery capability. On the other hand, carbon-based nanomaterials such as MWCNTs have unique properties that can be potentially used as composite materials for application as DDS. Therefore, to increase the ability of DDS, the in-situ synthesis of MWCNT-AgNPs nanocomposites was carried out. UV-Vis observed the absorption peak of the nanocomposite. The characterization of the crystal structure was performed using XRD. FESEM-EDX conducted the determination of the morphology of nanocomposite and the chemical composition. The distribution of AgNPs on the MWCNTs surface was performed by TEM. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the vibration of the MWCNT-AgNPs. Drug Loading was performed using UV-Vis measurements. The results showed that MWCNT-AgNPs as a DDS are successfully created in the drug loading stage. Drug loading stage properties are increased with the increasing loading time of Ibuprofen on MWCNT-AgNPs. The optimum percentage of drug loading for Ibuprofen by MWCNTs-AgNPs was 43.7% in a contact time of 27 hours