Project Team
Students
David Auerbeck
Biomedical Engineering
Penn State University Park
Faculty Mentors
William G. Van Der Sluys
Penn State Altoona
Chemistry
Xueyi Zhang
Penn State University Park
Biomedical Engineering
Project
https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/Poster-Presentation-MC-REU-2021.pdf
Project Video
Project Abstract
Metal organic framework materials (MOFs) are coordination polymers composed of a metal ion cluster, coordinated by organic ligands. Based on its metal and ligands, MOFs vary in shape and cavity size. MOFs form large pockets of empty space that facilitate several practical applications, including absorption of small gas molecules and chromatographic separation. Given the increasing number of available MOF cavity shapes and sizes, we speculate it is possible to synthesize a material capable of absorbing biomedically active substances, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are the common active ingredient in pain relievers, which serves as a commercial necessity for low-level pain relief. Selectively absorbing or separating these active ingredients from their plant-based parents can lead to more efficient, cheaper means of production. Furthermore, encapsulation and isolation of NSAIDs could allow for new, more efficient means of drug delivery. We propose that the MOF known as MIL-53 (Al) will potentially absorb NSAIDs, while maintaining its structural integrity through extraction. MIL-53 (Al) has been synthesized in our lab and purged of excess linker, benzene dicarboxylic acid (BDC), through dimethylformamide (DMF) extraction and calcination. Additionally, theoretical calculations have been performed, supporting favorable orientation and intermolecular interactions of NSAIDs in the MIL-53 (Al) cavities. Based on these results, we feel further experimental testing is warranted to establish the feasibility of this approach for NSAID processing.
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