Preparation and Properties of PVA/ZIF‐8 Sustained‐Release Fiber Loaded With Minoxidil Sulfate

ABSTRACT To address the limitation of traditional minoxidil sulfate (MXS) nano‐drug delivery systems—namely, short dosing cycles, frequent replacement requirements, and inability to fulfill cosmetic coverage needs simultaneously—this study aims to develop a composite fiber with dual functions: sustained release and cosmetic coverage. Employing a green and simple wet spinning technique, MXS‐loaded ZIF‐8 nanoparticles were functionally composite with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrix, successfully yielding PVA/ZIF‐8 composite fibers. The resulting composite fiber exhibits excellent mechanical properties, with a tensile strength reaching 2.5 cN/dtex and good aging resistance. The fiber inherits the high drug‐loading capacity of ZIF‐8 nanoparticles, achieving sustained release for up to 220 h. Additionally, the composite fiber possesses outstanding processability, enabling its further weaving into wigs. This study successfully developed a novel PVA/ZIF‐8 composite fiber integrating sustained drug release with physical hair coverage. It expands new application directions for functional polymer composites in the biomedical field.