Chiral Ni-Al LDH nanoparticle embedded electrospun nanofibrous membrane with high and stable permeance for enantioseparation of ketoprofen

Abstract

Effective enantiomer separation is crucial for the drug and pharmaceutical industries since chiral compounds are recognised for their unique biological activity. This study presents a novel approach for the selective separation of ketoprofen enantiomers, emphasizing the enantioselective properties of this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is primarily effective due to its S-isomer. The method involves synthesizing chiral Ni-Al layered double hydroxides (CLDHs) using (R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylamine as a chiral selector. To enhance mechanical strength and surface functionality, cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun membranes were fabricated and grafted with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), followed by coating with the CLDH. The presence of CLDH significantly improved the membrane’s enantioselectivity by facilitating specific interactions between the membrane and the enantiomers, leading to enhanced selectivity and separation efficiency. Comprehensive characterization confirmed the successful integration of chiral amine into the LDH structure and its effective coating onto the electrospun fibers. Performance evaluations demonstrated that these composite membranes exhibit superior enantioselectivity and efficiency in separating S-ketoprofen with enantiomeric excess (ee%) of approximately 93 %. This approach highlights the potential of combining CLDHs with electrospun membranes as a scalable and cost-effective solution for high-purity enantiomeric separation, offering significant advancements for pharmaceutical applications.