Temperature-Responsive Controlled Drug Delivery System Based on Titanium Nanotubes

In this study, we reported a smart temperature-sensitive drug release system based on titanium nanotubes. Titanium nanotubes were fabricated with an electrochemical approach. The 3-trimethoxysilyl propylmethacrylate (MPS) was initially coupling to the surfaces of titanium nanotubes, and then polymerizing with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and acrylamide (AAm) to form a hydrogel covering layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize the titanium nanotubes drug delivery systems. SEM images revealed that titanium nanotubes had relatively uniform distribution in diameters (52 +/- 9 nm) and around 410 nm in length. FTIR spectra suggested that MPS was immobilized and in turn triggering the formation of PNIPAAm/PAAm network onto the surfaces of titanium nanotubes. Drug release profiles indicated that a temperature-responsive controlled drug release system based on titanium nanotubes was achieved. This study provides alternative for developing novel implantable controlled drug delivery systems from titanium nanotubes.