Alginate-chitosan blend containing coconut-based activated carbon was prepared as a drug delivery carrier in order to improve the loading and releasing capacity of the drug. The activated carbon was incorporated as effective adsorbent for drug due to the extremely high surface area and pore volume, high adsorption capacity, micro porous structure and specific surface activity. Alginate-chitosan blend containing coconut-based activated carbon showed the sustained release for a longer period. Alginate-chitosan blend showed higher release of drug as the pH increased and higher release of drug as the content of chitosan decreased due to the pH-dependent solubility of blend components.
The composites of temperature-sensitive hydrogel and activated carbons were prepared in order to improve both the mechanical strength of hydrogel matrix and the loading capacity of drug in a hydrogel drug delivery system. The swelling of composite hydrogel was varied depending on the temperature. Both the swelling and the release behavior of the composite hydrogel were varied depending on the kind of activated carbon. The release behavior showed the high efficiency which is important for practical applications.