Development of Folic Acid-Conjugated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin via Arc Discharge: A Novel Approach for Synergistic Photothermal-Chemotherapy of Cancer Using Bacterial Cellulose-Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel

Abstract

The design of multifunctional nanomaterials that combine chemotherapy with photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional cancer treatments. Here, we report the fabrication of a novel therapeutic hydrogel system composed of Folic Acid-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs) synthesized via an arc-discharge method, loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), and embedded within a bacterial cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (BC/PVA) matrix. The arc-discharge technique produced crystalline FeNPs with high purity and narrow size distribution. Folic acid conjugation enabled tumor-targeted delivery, while DOX was efficiently incorporated via electrostatic and {pi}-{pi} stacking interactions. Embedding in the BC/PVA hydrogel facilitated sustained drug release and improved biocompatibility. Structural and functional characterization was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetization studies, swelling and rheological analysis, and photothermal heating experiments. In vitro cancer cell studies demonstrated enhanced therapeutic efficacy of the hydrogel system under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, where synergistic chemo-photothermal effects resulted in significant reduction in cell viability compared to single-mode treatments. This study highlights a multifunctional nanoplatform that integrates targeted delivery, controlled release, and dual therapeutic modalities for effective cancer treatment.