Simply and effectively control the shell thickness of hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles by polyethylene glycol for drug delivery applications

Abstract

This study reports for the first time the usage of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the capping agent to control mesoporous shell thickness of hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSN)—a promising nanocarrier. HMSN was synthesized with hard template method and PEG with different molecular weights and concentrations would be added at the mesoporous coating. The samples dSiO2@MSN synthesized with and without PEG were analyzed DLS, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda to characterize their mesoporous shells. Meanwhile transmission electron microscope, Zeta potential, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared, loading capacity, release profile and cytotoxicity analysis was conducted to characterize HSMNs. As PEG's molecular weight or concentration increased, the mesoporous shell thickness gradually raised. Particles synthesized in the presence of 2% PEG 6000 retained the monodispersed spherical morphology with a particle diameter of 95.40 nm and a mesoporous shell thickness of 14.40 nm, which was about 7.0 nm thicker. dSiO2@MSN‐P owned equal mesopore diameter and higher surface area compared to dSiO2@MSN‐0. HMSN‐P showed similar loading capacity but better sustained release profile than HMSN‐0. Moreover, both HMSN‐0 and HMSN‐P performed as biocompatible materials. This study would contribute a simple and effective method to control the shell thickness of HMSN with PEG for drug delivery applications.

Development and Characterization of Quercetin-Loaded Polymeric Liposomes with Gelatin–Poly(ethylene glycol)–Folic Acid Coating to Increase Their Long-Circulating and Anticancer Activity

“…Here the authors proposed that, from the theoretical properties of Gel (molecular weight and polymer chain lengths) as well as PEG, the 1:100 fabrication ratio leads to the best size of the coating layers, enough to encapsulate the drug while still retaining its adherence to the liposome and not too big that it can affect the integrity of the system during experiments that can physically remove the loosely attached outer layers. Compared to our previous studies, Gel as a component of the coating materials shows significantly improved encapsulation, with a higher loading efficiency for low aqueous-soluble drugs. − In the future, more studies on the optimal distance and size of the coating membrane on liposomes should be conducted and thoroughly investigated.…”

Surface Modification of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Application in Targeted Delivery Systems of Antitumour Drugs

“…Polyethylene glycol forms a hydrophilic layer around particles with increased dispersibility, significantly increases the half-life of elimination from the bloodstream by delaying opsonisation, and improves the EPR effect [ 110 , 111 ]. By adding PEG of different molecular weights and concentrations, the thickness of the mesoporous shell can be adjusted [ 112 ]. However, pegylation has negative aspects, as it strongly inhibits cellular uptake and endosomal release, resulting in a significant loss of activity for the delivery system.…”

“…Polymers 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 27 opsonisation, and improves the EPR effect [110,111]. By adding PEG of different molecular weights and concentrations, the thickness of the mesoporous shell can be adjusted [112].…”

One-Pot Synthesis of Silica-Coated Gold Nanostructures Loaded with Cyanine 5.5 for Cell Imaging by SERS Spectroscopy

“…Thus, silica is one of the most promising surface modifiers for plasmonic nanotags, whose operating principle is based on SERS or fluorescence. It is important to note that the thickness of silica shell can be easily tuned by varying tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) concentration in the reaction [ 27 , 28 ].…”