Synthesis, Characterization and in Vitro Drug Delivery Applications of a Tin-Based Metal‒Organic Framework

This study reports an efficient and fast, microwave-assisted synthesis of a tin-based metal‒organic framework (Sn-MOF), followed by ibuprofen (IBU) drug loading and subsequent encapsulation in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for drug delivery applications. The Sn-MOF was synthesized using trithiocyanuric acid (TCA), stannous chloride dihydrate, and N, N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) at 200 °C within six minutes using microwave-assisted synthesis. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized Sn-MOF were studied using IR, ¹³C NMR, FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), powder XRD, and TGA analyses. FESEM images revealed the presence of pores on the surface of the complex and flower-shaped microstructures. The ibuprofen drug was effectively loaded into the Sn-MOF structure, as indicated by the shifts in the peaks in the IR spectra. Further encapsulation in carboxymethyl cellulose and crosslinking with ferric chloride resulted in CMC/Sn-MOF@IBU being pH responsive and sustained drug delivery. The demonstrated swelling behaviour, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release make CMC/Sn-MOF@IBU a potential candidate for drug delivery of ibuprofen. The kinetics of drug release and predictive modelling further validated the sustained release of the drug from the CMC/Sn-MOF@IBU matrix.