Thiolated Mucoadhesive and PEGylated Nonmucoadhesive Organosilica Nanoparticles from 3-Mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 27; no. 15; pp. 9551 - 9556
• Main Authors: Irmukhametova, Galiya S, Mun, Grigoriy A, Khutoryanskiy, Vitaliy V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 02-08-2011
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Colloids - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Materials: Nano-and Mesostructured Materials, Polymers, Gels, Liquid Crystals, Composites; Molecular Structure; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Organosilicon Compounds - chemical synthesis; Organosilicon Compounds - chemistry; Particle Size; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Polyethylene Glycols - chemistry; Silanes - chemistry; Sulfhydryl Compounds - chemical synthesis; Sulfhydryl Compounds - chemistry; Surface Properties; Drug; Self assembly; Oxygen; Thiol; Stability; Self condensation; Nanoparticle; Condensation; Partial oxidation; Aqueous dispersion
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la201385h

A novel approach has been developed to synthesize thiolated sub-100 nm organosilica nanoparticles from 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) through its self-condensation in dimethylsulfoxide in contact with atmospheric oxygen. The formation of MPTS nanoparticles proceeds through the condensation of methoxysilane groups and simultaneous disulfide bridging caused by partial oxidation of thiol groups. These nanoparticles showed excellent colloidal stability in dilute aqueous dispersions but underwent further self-assembly into chains and necklaces at higher concentrations. They exhibited very good ability to adhere to ocular mucosal surfaces, which can find applications in drug delivery. The thiolated nanoparticles could also be easily modified through PEGylation resulting in a loss of their mucoadhesive properties.