Electrospun composite membranes of ethyl cellulose and MXene (Ti3C2Tx): Biocompatible platforms for enhanced drug delivery and antibacterial wound healing

Ethyl cellulose (EC), a degradable cellulose derivative, served as a primary component in membranes fabricated by electrospinning for in vitro drug delivery applications. An effective strategy to enhance drug release was incorporating high-surface-area nanomaterials into polymeric drug carriers, which facilitated drug attachment to both the polymer matrix and additive surfaces, promoting release. MXene (Ti3C2Tx) demonstrated promising potential in improving tensile mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and curcumin (Cur) release performance of EC membrane. Compared to Cur-loaded EC/MXene membranes, the toughness of Cur-loaded EC-based carriers significantly increased by 53.58 %, reaching 3.821 kJ/m3. This composite membrane exhibited exceptional antibacterial efficacy, notably reducing Staphylococcus aureus colonies by 52.4 × 107 CFU/mL after 168 h, through the dilution spread plate method. Using MTT assay, the composite membrane demonstrated biocompatibility, as evidenced by >70 % viability of mouse fibroblast L929 cells with observable cell attachment after 168 h. Importantly, the EC/MXene membrane achieved a Cur release amount of 69.82 % compared to 7.11 % from Cur-loaded EC membranes within 168 h, representing a 62.71 % enhancement in Cur release. The EC/MXene composite membrane is a promising drug delivery candidate, particularly for Cur, by utilizing the sustainability of EC as the primary drug carrier component. [Display omitted] •Electrospun membranes were fabricated from ethyl cellulose (EC) and MXene (Ti3C2Tx).•Acting as a reinforcement, MXene enhanced the toughness of curcumin-loaded EC membrane by 53.58 %.•The curcumin-loaded EC/MXene membrane reduced S. aureus colonies by 52.4 × 107 CFU/mL, showing antibacterial potential.•In the presence of MXene in the membrane, curcumin delivery from the EC membrane was enhanced by 62.71 %.•The curcumin-loaded EC/MXene membrane demonstrated biocompatibility with mouse fibroblast L929 cells.