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. 2024 Oct 30;17(11):1453.
doi: 10.3390/ph17111453.

3D-Printed Plasmonic Nanocomposites: VAT Photopolymerization for Photothermal-Controlled Drug Release

Ignacia Paz Torres Fredes  1   2 , Elizabeth Nicole Cortés-Adasme  1   2 , Bruno Andrés Barrientos  3   4 , Juan Pablo Real  3   4 , Cesar Gerardo Gomez  5   6 , Santiago Daniel Palma  3   4 , Marcelo Javier Kogan  1   2 , Daniel Andrés Real  1   2   3   4
Affiliations

3D-Printed Plasmonic Nanocomposites: VAT Photopolymerization for Photothermal-Controlled Drug Release

Ignacia Paz Torres Fredes et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Gold nanoparticles can generate heat upon exposure to radiation due to their plasmonic properties, which depend on particle size and shape. This enables precise control over the release of active substances from polymeric pharmaceutical formulations, minimizing side effects and premature release. The technology of 3D printing, especially vat photopolymerization, is valuable for integrating nanoparticles into complex formulations.

Method: This study aimed to incorporate gold nanospheres (AuNSs) and nanorods (AuNRs) into polymeric matrices using vat photopolymerization, allowing for controlled drug release with exposure to 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths.

Results: The AuNSs (27 nm) responded to 532 nm and the NRs (60 nm length, 10 nm width) responded to 1064 nm. Niclosamide was used as the drug model. Ternary blends of Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate 250 (PEGDA 250), Polyethylene Glycol 400 (PEG 400), and water were optimized using DesignExpert 11 software for controlled drug release upon specific wavelength exposure. Three matrices, selected based on solubility and printability, underwent rigorous characterization. Two materials achieved controlled drug release with specific wavelengths. Bilayer devices combining AuNSs and AuNRs demonstrated selective drug release based on irradiation wavelength.

Conclusions: A pharmaceutical device was developed, capable of controlling drug release upon irradiation, with potential applications in treatments requiring delayed administration.

Keywords: 3D printing; controlled drug release; niclosamide; photothermal drug delivery; vat photopolymerization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Plasmon resonance peaks of synthesized AuNSs and AuNRs determined by UV–Vis spectrophotometry.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Characterization of AuNSs by (a) NTA (different captures of the same sample obtained are represented in different green tones) and (b) STEM.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Characterization of AuNRs by (a) NTA (different captures of the same sample obtained are represented in different green tones) and (b) STEM.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Response surface plots of ternary PEGDA/PEG400/water mixtures. Evaluation of the solubility of the model drug Niclosamide at 25 °C.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Rotational rheological analysis of PEGDA 250, PEG 400, and 3D-printing matrices 2, 5, and 6 (with AuNSs or AuNRs).
Figure 7
Figure 7
(a) Microphotographs of prints acquired through optical microscopy. (b) Images of the device resulting from Matrix 6 with PEGDA 250. (c) Device before and after the curing process.
Figure 8
Figure 8
FTIR spectra of PEGDA, PEG 400, TPO, Niclosamide, and 3D-printing Matrices 2, 5, and 6. Note: the gray dotted box is to focus in the decrease in the signal of the C=C bonds in the 3D printed matrixes.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Weight uniformity of 3D-printed devices employing different photopolymerizable matrixes. (a) Distribution of weight uniformity for matrix 2 in blue and matrix 5 in red. (b) Distribution of weight uniformity for matrix 6 in violet.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Characterization of prints obtained with Matrix 6 loaded with AuNSs and AuNRs using SEM.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Elemental analysis of the solid device obtained using Matrix 6.
Figure 12
Figure 12
The photothermal effect of controls and the printed device from Matrix 6 with AuNSs or AuNRs after 5 min of irradiation with a 536 nm or 1064 laser, respectively.
Figure 13
Figure 13
DSC (a) and TGA (b) analyses of Niclosamide and 3D-printed objects obtained using Matrices 2, 5, and 6.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Release profile of Niclosamide without irradiation from Matrices 2, 5, and 6 measured by UV–Vis spectrophotometry.
Figure 15
Figure 15
Release of Niclosamide from the print of Matrix 6 of AuNSs after irradiation with the 536 nm laser. Niclosamide released from the print of Matrix 6 with AuNRs following irradiation with the 1064 nm laser. Data obtained from the UV–Vis spectrophotometer.
Figure 16
Figure 16
(a) Release of Niclosamide from the bilayer device after laser irradiation with 532 nm and 1064 nm. Data were obtained through measurement with the UV–Vis spectrophotometer. (b) Schematic representation of the designed photothermal-controlled drug release bilayer device.
Figure 17
Figure 17
Mixture-simplex centroid design applied to the software Design Expert version 7.0.0.
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