Drug Loading and Release Behavior of Graphene Oxide/Magnetite Nanocomposite

Abstract Graphene based materials such as graphene oxide have been developed in the biomedical applications during recent years. In this research, graphene oxide/magnetite nanocomposite with drug controlled release ability was synthesized through coprecipitation on graphene oxide sheets. Phase analysis, particles morphology, magnetic properties, drug loading and release behavior of the synthesized nanocomposite was investigated using XRD, FESEM, VSM and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. XRD pattern showed formation of the graphene oxide/magnetite nanocomposite. FESEM images revealed that the mean particles size is 14 nm. The synthesized nanocomposite showed superparamagnetic characteristics while the saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite was 47 emu/g. Doxorubicin hydrochloride as an anti-cancer drug was loaded on the nanocomposite. Encapsulation efficiency and loading of the drug for the nanocomposite were 51.76% and 34.68%, respectively. The release model of the drug was best matched with Korsmeyer-Peppas model.