Preparation and drug release application of pH and light dual-stimuli- responsive nanocarrier based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Abstract

The spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with good dispersity and uniform pore structure were prepared and functionalized by amino and 2-bromoisobutyrate successively. The random copolymer brushes of 1′-(2-acryloxyethyl)-3′,3′-dimethyl-6-nitrospiro-(2H-1-benzopyran-2,2′-indoline) (SPMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) on the surface of MSNs were obtained via chemical hydrolysis of the precursor random copolymer MSNs-g-P(SPMA-co-tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA)) in acidic conditions. The pH or light stimuli-responsive behavior and the dual-responsive process were recorded by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Furthermore, doxorubicin (DOX) as model drug molecule was loaded into the polymer brushes (as the nanocarrier), and the controlled release processes of DOX under the external stimulations were studied to some extent.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Mesoporous silica nanoparticles
• doxorubicin
• controlled release
• spiropyran
• pH-responsive
• light-responsive

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 21376271], Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, and Undergraduates innovation training project