Synthesis of Light-Controlled Superparamagnetic Core–Shell Structured Nanocomposite for Drug Delivery

Abstract

This paper reported a core–shell structured site-specific light-controlled magnetic nanocomposite for drug delivery. Its core was composed of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles for magnetic guiding purposes. Its outer shell consisted of mesoporous silica molecular sieve MCM-41 which offered highly ordered hexagonal tunnels for drug molecules. A ligand N1-(5H-cyclopenta [1,2- b:5,4-b′] dipyridin-5-ylidene) benzene-1,4-diamine (denoted as Dafo-Ph-NH2) was coupled to the MCM-41shell. The Dafo end can flip over under 510 nm light therefore will act as a light stimulated acceptor. The final composite was analyzed by electron microscope images, XRD, IR spectra, thermogravimetry, MTT and N2 adsorption/desorption. Our Dafo-MCM-41@Fe3O4 composite shows light controlled release property for vitamin B12 in vitro.