Preparation and Properties of PVA/ZIF-8 Sustained-Release Fiber Loaded With Minoxidil Sulfate

To address the limitation of traditional minoxidil sulfate (MXS) nano-drug delivery systems—namely, short dosing cycles, frequent replacement requirements, and inability to fulfill cosmetic coverage needs simultaneously—this study aims to develop a composite fiber with dual functions: sustained release and cosmetic coverage. Employing a green and simple wet spinning technique, MXS-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles were functionally composite with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrix, successfully yielding PVA/ZIF-8 composite fibers. The resulting composite fiber exhibits excellent mechanical properties, with a tensile strength reaching 2.5 cN/dtex and good aging resistance. The fiber inherits the high drug-loading capacity of ZIF-8 nanoparticles, achieving sustained release for up to 220 h. Additionally, the composite fiber possesses outstanding processability, enabling its further weaving into wigs. This study successfully developed a novel PVA/ZIF-8 composite fiber integrating sustained drug release with physical hair coverage. It expands new application directions for functional polymer composites in the biomedical field.