Bionanocomposite film of kappa-carrageenan / nanotube clay: growth of hydroxyl apatite and model drug release

Abstract

This paper reports for the first time the reinforcement of kappa-carrageenan (ĸCRG) with clay of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) as potential biomedical materials. The bionanocomposite films (ĸCRG/HNT) were successfully prepared having optimum tensile properties at 3 wt% of HNT. Morphological and surface analysis of the nanocomposite revealed excellent film formation and increased in surface roughness. Immersion of the film in simulated body fluid for 7 days resulted in the growth of hydroxyl apatite particles with Ca/P ratio of 1.68. This is a good indication of bioactivity for possible template in bone tissue engineering. Swelling and methylene blue release experiments indicated possible drug delivery applications due to the stability of the ĸCRG matrix up to more than 20 days and delayed release of the model drug, respectively. This bioresource nanocomposite film has potential as a suitable biomedical material that requires mechanical integrity, bioactivity and drug releasing.