Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogels Containing Carboxylated Chitosan-Modified Carbon Nanotubes for Controlled Drug Release

To improve the environmental response and drug loading/release performance of hydrogels, carboxylated chitosan-modified carbon nanotubes (CCS/CNT) were synthesized as a reinforcer. Moreover, diethylacrylamide (DEA) and N-hydroxymethylacrylamide (NHMAA) acted as a temperature-sensitive monomer and a hydrophilic comonomer, respectively. Thus, a novel micro-nanomodified temperature-sensitive hydrogel (DEA-NHMAA-CNT/CCS) was fabricated via polymerization and cross-linking reactions. The results showed that DEA-NHMAA-CNT/CCS with a uniform and complete pore structure exhibited improved temperature-responsive speed, compression property, and photothermal performance. Furthermore, DEA-NHMAA-CNT/CCS owned an enhanced drug loading/release ability, displaying good temperature-controlled drug release behavior and satisfactory antibacterial activity. The advantages combining facile preparation and good overall performance suggested the great potential application of DEA-NHMAA-CNT/CCS in the fields of drug delivery, wound dressing, and tissue engineering scaffolds.