Understanding the effect of functionalized carbon nanotubes on the properties of tamarind gum hydrogels

In this study, the variation in the properties of the tamarind gum hydrogels by incorporating CNT, OH-CNT and COOH-CNT was studied. The microscopic studies suggested an alteration in the microstructure when CNTs were incorporated due to the alteration in the interactive forces amongst the polymeric chains of the hydrogels. This tailored the electrical and the mechanical properties. The aforementioned changes in the properties of the hydrogels resulted in the differential drug release patterns of the model drug, tigecycline. The drug was released in active form and was able to show antimicrobial activity against the model microorganism Escherichia coli .