Ca-Al Layered Double Hydroxide/ZIF-67 Metal-Organic Framework (LDH/MOF) Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery Application

Mohajer Heravi, Arezoo; Molaei, Mohammad Jafar; Abdi, Jafar

doi:10.30501/acp.2026.554046.1186

Ca-Al Layered Double Hydroxide/ZIF-67 Metal-Organic Framework (LDH/MOF) Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery Application

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Arezoo Mohajer Heravi ¹

Mohammad Jafar Molaei ²

Jafar Abdi ²^{, 3}

¹ MS Student, Faculty of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, P. O. Box: 3619995161, Shahrood, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Faculty of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, P. O. Box: 3619995161, Shahrood, Iran.

³ Associate Professor , Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Zanjan, P. O. Box: 451561319, Zanjan, Iran.

10.30501/acp.2026.554046.1186

Abstract

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are 2D layered materials with a high specific surface area. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous structures with adjustable pore size and surface area. In this research, the Ca-Al LDH/ZIF-67 MOF (LDH/MOF) nanocomposite was synthesized through coprecipitation and evaluated for its application as a nanocarrier in drug delivery systems. FESEM images showed that LDH nanosheets are decorated with ZIF-67 particles, and they can also enter the spacing between the LDH layers. The synthesized LDH/MOF nanocomposite exhibited a significantly enhanced surface area of 60.8 m²/g with an average pore diameter of 2.1 nm, compared to LDH (6.53 m²/g, 6.6 nm) and MOF (11.2 m²/g, 4.9 nm) samples. The synthesized LDH/MOF nanocomposite was investigated for drug release behavior using ciprofloxacin as the model drug. The nanocomposite showed a drug loading efficiency and drug loading capacity of 58% and 19%, respectively. The LDH/MOF nanocomposite exhibited pH-dependent drug release, reaching 64% and 85% within 12 h at pH 7.4 and 5.3, respectively. The drug release from the LDH/MOF nanocomposite follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and is estimated to occur through quasi-Fickian diffusion. The Ca-Al LDH/MOF nanocomposite is promising for application in drug delivery systems, with enhanced release in acidic tumor microenvironments.

Keywords

Ca-Al Layered Double Hydroxide

ZIF-67 Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)

Drug Delivery

pH-Dependent Drug Release

Subjects

Biomaterials

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