Laponite-Based Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery.

Laponite is a clay-based material composed of synthetic disk-shaped crystalline nanoparticles with highly ionic, large surface area. These characteristics enable the intercalation and dissolution of biomolecules in Laponite-based drug delivery systems. Furthermore, Laponite's innate physicochemical properties and architecture enable the development of tunable pH-responsive drug delivery systems. Laponite's coagulation capacity and cation exchangeability determine its exchange capabilities, drug encapsulation efficiency, and release profile. These parameters are exploited to design highly controlled and efficacious drug delivery platforms for sustained drug release. In this review, they provide an overview of how to design efficient delivery of therapeutics by leveraging the properties and specific interactions of various Laponite-polymer composites and drug moieties.