New mesostructured origami silica matrix: a nano-platform for highly retentive and pH-controlled delivery system

Abstract

In the present study, stabilizer caged fluorescent rhodamine B mesoporous silica particles with special shapes were prepared. The prepared particles have a pore volume of 1.92 cm3/g and a pore diameter of 12 nm. The abundant hydroxyl functional groups of mesoporous silica are responsible for the superior loading capacity of target molecular specie. The appearance of bands due to –COOH, –CH3, –CH2, –NH etc. indicated that the fluorescent rhodamine B could be encaged with the stabilizer inside the mesoporous channels. The performance of mesostructured origami silica matrix was evaluated by in vitro release experiments. From the in vitro release results, this material is suggested to have appropriate features for almost no release at pH = 1.2 and very slow release at neutral pH value. The same material could be best employed at pH 4.5 and at high pH values. It is concluded that mesostructured origami silica matrix is a smart nano-platform and can be utilized for high retention of cargo molecules.