Mesoporous Fe3O4/SiO2/poly(2-carboxyethyl acrylate) composite polymer particles for pH-responsive loading and targeted release of bioactive molecules

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 14; no. 32; pp. 23560 - 23573
• Main Authors: Most, Nusrat Jahan, Alam, Md Ashraful, Rahman, Md Mahabur, Hoque, S Manjura, Ahmad, Hasan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 19.07.2024
• Subjects: Carboxyl group; Cationic polymerization; Charge density; Dyes; Emulsion polymerization; Gate valves; Intestine; Iron oxides; Magnetic properties; Methylene blue; Microspheres; Particulate composites; Polymers; Silicon dioxide; Surface analysis (chemical); Surface charge; Surface properties; Vancomycin
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03160a

pH-responsive polymer microspheres undergoing reversible changes in their surface properties have been proved useful for drug delivery to targeted sites. This paper is aimed at preparing pH-responsive polymer-modified magnetic mesoporous SiO2 particles. First, mesoporous magnetic (Fe3O4) core-particles are prepared using a one-pot solvothermal method. Then, magnetic Fe3O4 particles are covered with a C=C functional mesoporous SiO2 layer before seeded emulsion polymerization of 2-carboxyethyl acrylate (2-CEA). The composite polymer particles are named Fe3O4/SiO2/P(2-CEA). The average diameters of the Fe3O4 core and Fe3O4/SiO2/P(2-CEA) composite polymer particles are 414 and 595 nm, respectively. The mesoporous (pore diameter = 3.41 nm) structure of Fe3O4/SiO2/P(2-CEA) composite polymer particles is confirmed from Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis. The synthesized Fe3O4/SiO2/P(2-CEA) composite polymer exhibited pH-dependent changes in volume and surface charge density due to deprotonation of the carboxyl group under alkaline pH conditions. The change in the surface properties of Fe3O4/SiO2/P(2-CEA) composite polymer particles following pH change is confirmed from the pH-dependent sorption of cationic methylene blue (MB) and anionic methyl orange (MO) dye molecules. The opening of the pH-responsive P(2-CEA) gate valve at pH 10.0 allowed the release of loaded vancomycin up to 99% after 165 min and p-acetamido phenol (p-AP) up to 46% after 225 min. Comparatively, the amount of release is lower at pH 8.0 but still suitable for drug delivery applications. These results suggested that the mesoporous Fe3O4/SiO2 composite seed acted as a microcapsule, while P(2-CEA) functioned as a gate valve across the porous channel. The prepared composite polymer can therefore be useful for treating intestine/colon cancer, where the pH is comparatively alkaline.