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Title:	Functionalized carbon nanotubes in hydrophobic drug delivery
Author:	Chen, Kun
View Online:	njit-etd2018-080 (xii, 83 pages ~ 4.4 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science
Degree:	Doctor of Philosophy
Program:	Chemistry
Document Type:	Dissertation
Advisory Committee:	Mitra, S. (Committee chair) Gund, Tamara M. (Committee member) Farinas, Edgardo Tabion (Committee member) Kim, Yong Ick (Committee member) Barat, Robert Benedict (Committee member)
Date:	2018-12
Keywords:	Carbon nanotubes Dissolution rate Dissolution rate Functionalization Hydrophobic drugs Nanomedicine
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	The direct incorporation of carboxylated carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) into hydrophobic drug particles during their formation via anti-solvent precipitation is presented. The approach is tested using two drugs namely antifungal agent Griseofulvin (GF) and antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) that have very different aqueous solubility. It is observed that the f-CNTs dispersed in the water serve as nucleating sites for crystallization and are readily incorporated into the drug particles without altering crystal structure or other properties. The results show that the hydrophilic f-CNTs dramatically enhance dissolution rate for both drugs. The increased degree of functionalization leads to higher hydrophilicity and therefore faster dissolution rate. The enhanced dissolution is attributed to the fact that the hydrophilic f-CNTs serve as conduits for bringing in water in close contact with the drug crystals. Particle size and sedimentation monitoring studies show incorporation of f-CNTs reduces hydrophobic particle size and slows sedimentation. Increased carboxylation of f-CNTs results in smaller particle sizes and slower sedimentation rates.