Electro-Stimulated Graphene-Polymer Nanocomposites Enable Wearable Patches With Feedback-Controlled Drug Release.

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials capable of spatiotemporal control over drug release are of nanocomposite patch ("e-Medi-Patch") engineered from biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL), graphene nanoplatelets, and a redox-active therapeutic, niclosamide. The hierarchical composite integrates π-π interactions between aromatic drug molecules and conductive graphene to enhance loading and retention, an Au microelectrode interface to enable wireless electrostimulation, and bluetooth-assisted impedance sensing for real-time monitoring of release dynamics. Under mild electrical stimulation, the nanocomposite exhibits on-demand, unidirectional release of niclosamide with tunable kinetics, confirmed by modelling, in vitro melanoma cell studies, and in vivo xenograft tumor regression. Unlike conventional slow-release patches that rely on passive diffusion, the e-Medi-Patch uniquely offers on-demand electrostimulatory release with real-time feedback monitoring, transforming drug delivery from a static system into an actively controlled, intelligent therapeutic platform. Beyond melanoma, the platform accommodates other redox-active therapeutics and offers scalable melt-blending fabrication. This work establishes an integrated materials-electronics strategy for wearable, feedback-controlled drug delivery, bridging multifunctional nanocomposites and precision medicine.