Amorphous microporous silica (AMS) materials with variation in microporosity were prepared using an acid-catalyzed sol−gel procedure departing from tetraethylorthosilicate. The silicas were fined to specific particle
sizes by crushing and sieving. AMS materials were loaded with 10 wt % ibuprofen either by uptake of molten
ibuprofen or by adsorption of ibuprofen from a methylene chloride solution. DSC analysis of ibuprofen-loaded AMS confirmed the molecular dispersion of ibuprofen on the silica material. In vitro ibuprofen release
from AMS carrier was investigated in simulated intestinal fluid and in a dissolution medium simulating the
gastrointestinal tract with simulated gastric fluid followed by simulated intestinal fluid. The release of ibuprofen
molecules from the AMS silica carrier is governed by diffusion. The diffusivity of ibuprofen in the investigated
series of AMS samples was in the range 10-14−10-11 m2 s-1. By adapting the porosity and particle size of
AMS, the release could be evenly spread over periods from 3 to 100 h. This flexibility of AMS opens
perspectives for designing tailor-made controlled release formulations.
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