Comparative study of bio-based and synthetic phase change materials functionalized coaxial fibers for photothermal-controlled drug delivery.

Drug controlled release is a hotspot in biomedicine. The temperature-responsive drug delivery system can achieve non-invasive, remote and precisely triggered release via external heat sources. In this study, photothermal phase change coaxial fiber membranes F1, F2 and F3 loaded with synthetic lauric acid (LA), tetradecanol (TD) and bio-based mutton tallow (MT) as phase change materials were prepared. SEM and TEM showed the three fibers were successfully prepared, with diameter distributions of 0.596 ± 0.027 μm (F1), 0.357 ± 0.174 μm (F2) and 0.736 ± 0.034 μm (F3). XRD and FTIR indicated DMY and MoS₂ were loaded. Water contact angle and mechanical properties showed the three fiber membranes were hydrophobic and the Young's modulus was F3 > F1 > F2. Drug release results showed DMY in F1 and F2 was released within 1 h, while F3 took 156 h and its release rate correlated with temperature. The photothermal study revealed the three fibers had excellent photothermal performance and stability and local temperature of F3 was lowest when responding to 808 nm near-infrared laser through the tissue layer. The biocompatibility was F3 > F2 > F1. This photothermal phase-change fiber membrane offers a potential option for precision medicine.