Synthesis of Poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone)-grafted-Magnetite Bromoacetylated Cellulose via ATRP for Drug Delivery

In the present article, we have reported a detailed study of the surface modification for magnetite nanoparticles (MNP, Fe3O4) using a natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymer. For this purpose, the cellulose was converted to its bromoacetylated derivative (BACell) by reacting with bromoacetyl bromide. Next, the MNPs were functionalized by the reaction of the hydroxyl groups with the methylene bromide of the prepared BACell to form Fe3O4/BACell. Then, the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method was developed for the covalent immobilization of the N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) on the Fe3O4/BACell surface to produce the Fe3O4/Cellulose-grafted NVP (Fe3O4/Cell-NVP) as a novel synthetic product. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated the presence of copolymer on the MNPs surface. Moreover, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results of the Fe3O4/Cell-NVP indicated that there had been an acceptable percentage of the content of polymer chains on the surface of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Furthermore, the structure and magnetic properties of the Fe3O4/Cell-NVP were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The loading capacity and release profiles of Doxorubicin (DOX) as a model drug from the Fe3O4/Cell-NVP were determined by UV–Vis absorption measurement at λmax=483 nm. The results showed that the DOX-loaded nanoparticles had been well controlled during the release period of the DOX. Therefore, it seems that the Fe3O4/Cell-NVP is an appropriate candidate for the controlled and targeted delivery of cancer treatment.