Functional textile substrates for the gradual release of agents

Abstract
The objective of this work was to develop novel biodegradable textile-based structures for the gradual release of active principles. Knitted fabrics of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and silk fibroin were used as textile substrates. Each polymer has distinct characteristics in terms of the surface physicochemistry and mechanical performance. The knitted substrates were chemically functionalized and adequate cross linking agents were used for allowing the subsequent bonding of cyclodextrins. Cyclodextrins have the capability of forming inclusion complexes with a large variety of drugs, which will be released in a gradual and controlled way. The inclusion complex formed and the substrate properties were characterized by UV-VIS, FTIR, SEM-EDS, AFM and fluorescence spectroscopy.