Abstract

The aim is to design nano fibrillated cellulose/carboxy methylcellulose (NFC/CMC) 3D porous biomaterials to be used in medicinal applications. NFC fibers were used to form a 3D nano matrix and CMC was used as an additive. The NFC/CMC concentration ratio proved to have influence on the 3D matrices hydrophilicity. Drug Delivery Systems (DDS) were formed using Diclofenac as the anti-inflammatory molecule. NFC/CMC 3D matrices were obtained with a combination of different fiber dimensions resulting in different structures with porosities ranging from 52 to 59%. The morphologic characterization of the fibers and the matrix structures was done using SEM and image analysis tools. The chemical characterization included the quantification of the total acidic groups using a conductivity method, FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. The representation of the 3D Diclofenac molecule was used to visualize the geometrical distribution of functional groups and the possibility of intermolecular interactions in the DDS formation, and also the influence of different pH surrounding environments. A computational 3D simulation study of the porous NFC/CMC matrices was performed providing information about porosity and the pores dimensions. Using the computational information, the 3D porous systems were optimized to obtain the desired release kinetics, according to the different pH’s, porosities and pore dimensions. Results proved that nanocellulosic porous materials can be designed according to the intended administration therapies and that the antiinflammatory Diclofenac can be releases from the NFC/CMC 3D matrices with the desired kinetics, making the presented methodology applicable to different medicinal nano biomaterials.