Magnetic Fe3O4[at]mesoporous silica composites for drug delivery and bioadsorption

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 376; no. 1; pp. 312 - 321
• Main Authors: Huang, Shanshan, Li, Chunxia, Cheng, Ziyong, Fan, Yong, Yang, Piaoping, Zhang, Cuimiao, Yang, Kuiyue, Lin, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15-06-2012
• Subjects: Adsorption; Aspirin; Biomolecules; Drug delivery systems; Flexible manufacturing systems; Foams; Porosity; Silicon dioxide
• ISSN: 0021-9797
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2012.02.031

Magnetic Fe3O4[at]mesoporous silica (MS) composites were synthesized by generating Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the mesoporous silica matrix using the sol-gel method in nitrogen atmosphere. The mesoporous silica hosts include SBA-15 particles owning highly ordered p6mm mesostructure, siliceous mesostructured cellular foams (MCFs), and fiber-like mesoporous silica (FMS) with unique pore structures. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption/desorption results show that Fe3O4 functionalized MCFs and FMS possess suitable mesoporous structure for the adsorption of both small-molecular drug and large biomolecules. The biocompatibility tests on L929 fibroblast cells using MTT assay reveal low cytotoxicity of these systems. These Fe3O4[at]mesoporous silica composites show sustained release properties for aspirin in vitro. The release of the aspirin molecules from the pores of the Fe3O4[at]mesoporous silica composites is basically a diffusive process. Fe3O4[at]MCFs and Fe3O4[at]FMS owning larger pore size are good candidates for the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA). These magnetic composites can be potential vectors for drug delivery and bioadsorption.