Polymer Fibrous Materials Composed of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose and Poly(vinyl alcohol) for a Hydrophilic Anticancer Drug Release

Fluorouracil-loaded polymer fibers were prepared by a simple and generic freeze drying technique, in which sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution containing 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) was frozen using liquid nitrogen. By controlling the total polymer concentration and the ratio of NaCMC/PVA, 5-Fu-loaded polymer fibers can be obtained. The synthesized 5-Fu-loaded NaCMC/PVA fibers are characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The drug release behavior of the as-prepared products is studied to reveal their potential use in drug delivery system.