Development of Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Technologies for Drug Delivery

Identifier:  TDX:2688

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2688

Authors:  Porta Batalla, Maria

Abstract:
Drug release is a procedure in which a composite or a device releases a molecule in a controlled way. Subsequently the drug would be subjected to absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Nanoporous semiconductors like alumina or silicon are used to fabricate carriers because of their distinctive features such as: low-cost fabrication, controllable pore/nanotube structure, tailored surface chemistry, high surface area, high loading capability, chemical resistivity and mechanical rigidity, have affianced a special role in drug delivery technology. Although drug release from nanoporous and mesoporous materials has been studied, there is a lack of understanding of the release kinetics from these platforms and the dynamics governing them. For this reason, our aim is to explain the release kinetics from nanoporous and mesoporous surfaces and model them. This model will be elucidated by means of a systematic study of release profiles. Altogether, technology, characterization and applications presented in this thesis are rather encouraging and are providing a starting point for developing innovative smart structures that will find applications in drug delivery systems.