Improved ibuprofen delivery efficiency with tailored magnesium-substituted hydroxyapatite nanorods: role of cationic substitution and particle shape design
摘要
Cationic substitution and morphological design critically govern the drug loading capacity and release kinetics of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (NPs) in targeted therapeutic applications. In this study, mesoporous Ca10−xMgx(PO4)6(OH)2, x = 1, 5 nanorod-like particles were hydrothermally synthesized via cationic substitution and systematically tested for drug delivery applications. The comprehensive structural and morphological characterization through X-ray diffraction analysis revealed monolithic apatitic phase formation with contracted lattice parameters, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed functional group modifications and lattice strain, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy quantified successful cationic substitution efficiency, and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated nanorod morphology (aspect ratio = 2–3) and polycrystalline with distorted atomic structure indexed to the apatitic configuration, collectively established the structure-property relationships. Ultrafine particles with pore diameter of 1–14 nm, a lower Mg2+ concentration (x = 1) exhibited higher pore volume (17%) and surface area (29%) than other particles (x = 5). Consequently, the former particles (x = 1) adsorbed 26% more ibuprofen, and their drug release rate was also faster but sustained. Results analysis suggested potential therapeutic drug delivery applications of Ca10−xMgx(PO4)6(OH)2 NPs, with a lower Mg2+ concentration (x = 1) offering superior drug entrapment and release efficiencies.