Sol–Gel Processed Oxide Controlled Release Materials

Abstract

In this chapter, we focus extensively on sol–gel processed silica to illustrate the benefits and to elucidate the structure–property-processing relationships of sol–gel oxides as controlled release system. We discuss the general sol–gel process and the biocompatibility of the sol–gel oxides. As a control release system, the release kinetics of the incorporated molecules is discussed. Following the discussion regarding the effect of physical and chemical processing parameters of sol–gel derived oxides on drug release kinetics, we review the applications potential of these materials in the controlled release arena. In a last section, we also summarize the various applications that are being pursued with sol–gel oxides as controlled release system for pharmaceutics and biological molecules.