Planar (2D) nanomaterials are garnering broad recognition in diverse scientific areas because of their intrinsic features. Herein, bulk graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was prepared from melamine, which was exfoliated to produce g-C3N4 nanosheets. The prepared g-C3N4 nanosheets were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), photo luminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The stable dispersion of a g-C3N4 nanosheet was incorporated into a PVA/Gelatin matrix to explore its efficacy as a promising drug carrier. A remarkable 42% increase in tensile strength for 1% g-C3N4/PVA/Gelatin was attained compared with that of the PVA/Gelatin film. Thermal stability increased due to addition of g-C3N4 nanosheet in the PVA/Gelatin film, where the maximum thermal degradation temperature increased by 9.5 °C when the 1% nanosheet was added to the PVA/Gelatin film. Moreover, the g-C3N4 nanosheets and g-C3N4/PVA/Gelatin showed no cytotoxicity against HeLa and BHK-21 cells. To investigate the in vitro drug releasing efficacy, ciprofloxacin was incorporated into g-C3N4/PVA/Gelatin. Experimental results showed a 62% drug release within 120 min at physiological pH 7.4. The data was curve fitted by different kinetic models of drug release to understand the drug release mechanism. The experimental data was found to fit best with the Higuchi model and revealed the diffusion control mechanism of drug release. Additionally, antibacterial study confirmed the drug release potency from g-C3N4/PVA/Gelatin film on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The above-mentioned promising findings might lead to an opportunity of using g-C3N4 as a potential drug carrier.
Keywords: antimicrobial activity; drug release mechanism; graphitic carbon nitride; mechanical properties; thermal properties.