Three-dimensional CMK-8 and CMK-9 ordered mesoporous carbons as potential nanocarriers for cephalexin controlled release

Ordered mesoporous carbons with a three-dimensional cubic structure, CMK-8 and CMK-9, were synthesized using the hard-template method and evaluated, for the first time, as drug delivery systems for cephalexin (CFX), a widely used antibiotic in infectious disease therapy. The materials were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane via grafting to enhance aqueous dispersion and control drug release. CFX was loaded by adsorption, and its release was studied under simulated oral conditions at acidic (pH 1.2) and intestinal (pH 6.8) environments. Due to its dual mesoporosity and larger surface area, CMK-9 exhibited superior CFX adsorption capacity compared to CMK-8. Both materials facilitated controlled drug release, with CMK-9 achieving the highest release rate (89 %) within 14 h under acidic conditions, whereas pure CFX exhibited a much faster release. Kinetic analysis using the Weibull model indicated a Fickian diffusion mechanism governed by porosity and electrostatic interactions. These findings underscore the potential of ordered mesoporous carbons with cubic structures as promising platforms for controlled antibiotic delivery.