| In this work, a new ionic liquid (IL) with two acidic and vinylic functional groups based on 1,2,3-
benzotriazolium cation was synthesized. This IL monomer was intercalated into the montmorillonite (MMT)
layers by the ion exchange reaction and subsequently copolymerized with the IL monomer and methacrylic
acid in order to obtain positive charge pH-sensitive nanocomposites. The structure of the IL monomer was
characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and the structure of the nanocomposites was studied and
confirmed by the FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, and EDX data. These pH-sensitive nanocarriers were used to load
and in vitro release of the anticancer drug, methotrexate (MTX) in pH=4 and pH=7.4. The results showed
that the release is pH dependent and more effective in acidic pH; therefore, these nanocarriers have potential to
be used for cancer therapy |