Matéria Evaluation of zinc oxide nanoparticles influence on hydrophilic polymer matrix systems

Hydrophilic polymer matrix systems (HPMSs) are a highly relevant tool for drugs delivery whose bioavailabilityis impaired by low hydrosolubility. Besides this, when associated with nanoparticles these systems canprovide better control over release profile of the active drug, maintaining the posology. Since polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are safe materials for use in the human body, we studied the effects ofZnO nanoparticle ratios on the characteristics of PVP matrix. For that purpose, nanocomposites were preparedby solution casting method and characterized by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analyses (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction(XDR) and Low-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) technique, using relaxometry. We alsoanalyzed the effects of the system on two broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs. The characterization results ofthe new materials indicate good interaction of the nanoparticles with the polymer, and this fact suggests thatthese new materials may have a retarding effect on drug release. The results also showed no disruptive interactionof the matrix system important to the action of the antimicrobials.Keywords: Polymer, Nanotechnology, Drug delivery, ZnO.