Drug‐loaded microparticles prepared by the one‐step deposition of calcium carbonate/alginate onto cotton fabrics

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)/alginate inorganic–organic hybrid particles were synthesized and deposited on to the surface of cotton fabrics with a novel one‐step procedure. The effects of the Ca²⁺/CO₃^2?/alginate molar ratio on the cotton matrix were investigated. The optimization of the process resulted in a regular shaped hybrid microparticles, and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the particles were uniformly distributed on the surface of the fibers. Dynamic light scattering showed that the particles were about 2 μm in diameter. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy images demonstrated that the core–shell structure of the particles existed along with CaCO₃ evenly enfolded into the alginate layer. An X‐ray diffraction pattern displayed that the alginate/CaCO₃ hybrid microparticles were a mixture of calcite and vaterite crystal. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that CaCO₃/alginate hybrid particles formed in situ were the only deposited materials. The thermogravimetric analysis curve indicated a certain mass ratio of the alginate and CaCO₃ in the hybrid particles. Furthermore, the drug‐loading and drug‐release properties of the hybrid microspheres were studied, and the results show that the water‐soluble diclofenac sodium could be effectively loaded in the hybrid microparticles and the drug release could be effectively sustained. Finally, both of the microparticles and modified fabrics had good cytocompatibility. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42618.