Preparation of graphene oxide–chitosan nanocapsules and their applications as carriers for drug delivery

In this paper, graphene oxide (GO)–chitosan (Cs) nanocapsules [(GO/Cs)x, x represents the number of GO/Cs bilayers] were prepared via layer-by-layer self-assembly method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that the (GO/Cs)x nanocapsules have a hollow structure with a uniform diameter of 570 nm. The (GO/Cs)5 nanocapsules were crosslinked with genipin. FESEM and TEM images indicated that the crosslinking process can improve the morphology and stability of the (GO/Cs)5 nanocapsules in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the drug loading and release behaviors of ibuprofen using (GO/Cs)5 and G(GO/Cs)5 nanocapsules as carriers were investigated. The results show the G(GO/Cs)5 nanocapsules exhibit a higher drug loading ratio and longer release time than the (GO/Cs)5 nanocapsules.