Formation of organosilica nanoparticles with dual functional groups and simultaneous payload entrapment

Abstract

A mixed organosilane system for simultaneous formation of organosilica nanoparticles has been systematically studied for loading of various compounds with a wide range of log P values. The molecule-entrapping system was understood by investigating the effects of adjusting various experimental parameters on particle formation and molecule entrapment. Particularly, rhodamine 6 G (R6G) loaded colloidal particles were prepared and characterised in detail. The results show that whereas most molecules had entrapment efficiency (EE%) in the range of 20–80%, R6G exhibited near 100% efficiency. Moreover, the colloidal system can be tuned to incorporate R6G with the extent of entrapment spanning at least 2 orders of magnitude (i.e. from 0.04 to 4 mg) and a maximum EE% of 98%. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the promise of the proposed mixed organosilane system in forming colloidal particles containing multiple functional groups with selective loading of highly hydrophobic molecules.

Keywords:

• Silica
• organosilane
• silsesquioxane
• nanoparticle
• nanoprecipitation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan, NSC 102–2320-B-016–003-MY3, MOST 105–2320-B-010–037-MY3, MOST 106–2320-B-010–027 (to TM Hu), MOST 104–2320-B-038–015 (to SJ Chiu). We appreciate the technical support from the Electron Microscopy Facility in NYMU (supported by Ministry of Education, Aiming for the Top University Plan).