Electrically Actuatable Smart Nanoporous Membrane for Pulsatile Drug Release

We report on the fabrication of electrically responsive nanoporous membrane based on polypyrrole doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonate anion (PPy/DBS) that was electropolymerized on the upper part of anodized aluminum oxide membrane. The membrane has regular pore size and very high pore density. Utilizing a large volume change of PPy/DBS depending on electrochemical state, the pore size was acutated electrically. The actuation of the pores was experimentally confirmed by in situ atomic force microscopy and in situ flux measurement. We also demonstrated successfully pulsatile (or on-demand) drug release by using fluorescently labeled protein as a model drug. Because of a fast switching time (less than 10 s) and high flux of the drugs, this membrane could be used for emergency therapy of angina pectoris and migraine, which requires acute and on-demand drug delivery, and hormone-related disease and metabolic syndrome.