Elsevier, Thin Solid Films, 5(517), p. 1794-1798
DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2008.09.080
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A nanoporous polymer thin film has been developed as a potential platform for drug delivery. The film was fabricated by a light-induced polymerization process in which non-reactive solvent was first separated from photopolymer (dipentaerythritol penta-/hexa-acrylate as the monomer) and then removed from polymer via evaporation, yielding pores with diameters between 20 and 40 nm. Loading and release of Rhodamine B (drug model molecules) on both porous and non-porous thin films proved that nanopores enhanced the film's effectiveness in encapsulating and releasing the drug model molecules, which was attributed to the high surface-to-volume ratio of nanoporous film. Ultrasound-enhanced cumulative and pulsatile release revealed the advantages of ultrasound in controlled drug delivery.