Synthesis and Characterization of a Smart Polymer-Coated Core–shell MnFe2O4@ Organometallic Framework for Targeted Drug Delivery

Scientists are currently working to develop more effective and less harmful methods of delivering drugs to tissue. One method is to use a special type of carrier to help the drug get to the right place in the body. In this study, an organometallic framework nanocarrier with the formula IRMOF-3 [Zn 4 O(NH 2 -BDC) 3 ] was successfully prepared, containing magnetic nanoparticles of manganese ferrite (MnFe 2 O 4 ) and the drug doxorubicin encapsulated in a pH- and temperature-sensitive smart polymer of poly- N -isopropylacrylamide. Doxorubicin, an anticancer drug, was loaded into the pores of a magnetic organometallic framework and modified with the smart polymer poly( N -isopropylacrylamide- co -AA), which has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of less than 38 °C. The synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic organometallic frameworks encapsulated in smart polymer was investigated using various analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, thermal stability analysis, BET, and VSM. The particles in the synthesized nanocarrier are uniform in size, have high magnetic properties, and are thermally stable. The effective surface area is 7.26 m 2 /g, and the pore volume is 166.394 m. The drug carrier has the ability to load up to 78% of the drug into the solution. The highest drug release was observed when the pH was 5 and the temperature was higher than the LCST. 71% of cancer cells were destroyed by the drug carrier in the culture medium. This nanosystem, designed with more drug retention, reduced side effects and controlled release in different conditions, is suitable as a drug delivery system.