Layered double hydroxide: Inorganic organic conjugate nanocarrier for methotrexate

Layered double hydroxide (LDH)-methotrexate (MTX) nanohybrids were successfully synthesized using ex situ and in situ processes. X-ray diffraction patterns of the synthesized nanopowders revealed that intercalated MTX molecules were stabilized in tilted longitudinal conformation into the hydroxide interlayer space. Two separate hydroxyl peaks were found in the FTIR spectra of LDH-MTX nanopowders suggesting successful intercalation of the MTX molecule into LDH matrix. The synthesized powders were further characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern. HRTEM images showed an increase in interlayer spacing in hydrothermally crystallized LDH-MTX nanohybrids as compared to pristine LDH. The study showed that depending on the synthesis route used to synthesize LDH-MTX nanohybrid, its particle size as well as morphology can be varied at nano scale.