Calcium polyphosphate coacervates reinforced with cellulose nanofibers for controlled drug release

• Grant number: 25/00095-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Douglas Faza Franco
• Grantee: Lívia Fioravante Pedrosa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project presents a proposal for the synthesis, structural characterization, and application of calcium polyphosphate coacervates containing bacterial cellulose nanofibers to investigate the controlled release of the drug diclofenac. Calcium polyphosphate coacervates are extremely hygroscopic, which can lead to issues with chemical stability and changes in the material's physical and chemical properties, affecting its performance and application as a drug delivery vehicle by causing overly rapid drug release. Therefore, incorporating biomolecules, such as cellulose nanofibers, into the coacervate could help improve the physicochemical stability of the inorganic-organic hybrid, thereby extending diclofenac release within the body. The polyphosphate coacervates will be prepared using a simple coacervation method, followed by adding cellulose nanofibers in different % w/w proportions and incorporating the drug into the polyphosphate matrix. Thermal, structural, spectroscopic, and morphological properties will be studied via TGA/DTA thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, studies on rheology, hygroscopicity, and moisture sorption-desorption isotherms (GVS) will be conducted, and cell viability testing will be performed. Finally, controlled drug release tests are planned as the final stage.