Surface modification of nanocellulose through carbamate link for a selective release of chemotherapeutics

Herein we report the synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals covalently bound to a model chemotherapeutic drug (DOXO) via a novel spacer arm, which acts both as linker and as selective releasing agent. The carbamate linkage present in the linker, shows stability in aqueous environments for a wide range of conditions and can only be hydrolyzed in the presence of cells, freeing the active drug, with unmodified chemotherapeutic properties.