# Modification of Mesoporous Silica Surface by Immobilization of Functional Groups for Controlled Drug Release

Authors: Abdullah M. Alswieleh
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2020)

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## Abstract

This paper introduces the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with three different groups such as amine, thiol, and sulfonic acid, along the internal surface. Trimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride was used to modify the external surface of the nanomaterials. Such materials allow control of the drug release from MSN pores. Multifunctional MSNs were loaded with doxycycline (Doxy) to study their capacities and uploading time. The loading profile indicates that sulfonic groups in the internal surface were the most efficient surfaces with a loading capacity of ca. 35% in 90 min in acidic media.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Silica nanoparticles are prepared with different surface area, size, shape, and surface functionality. During the last decades, much attention has been paid to mesoporous nanomaterials [1–6]. Among the different silica nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are most commonly used for pharmaceutics applications due to their unique properties [4–9]. Silica surface has been modified through silane reagent attachment or coating with polymers [10–14]. Silane reagents are reacted with the surface through a condensation reaction [15, 16]. The surface of silica can easily introduce functional groups to control drug release functions for optimized drug delivery [17, 18].3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) have been widely utilized to modify silica surface with amine and mercapto groups, respectively, and used for several applications [17, 19, 20]. Huang et al. have prepared a catalyst based on modified mesoporous silica coated with MPTMS. Thiol groups on the surface were converted to sulfonic acid and used as a catalyst for the esterification reaction [21]. Mosquera et al. reported the synthesis of gold nanoparticles stabilized with silica monolayers. The silica monolayer was formed after MPTMS immobilization on the surface of gold nanoparticles and hydrolysis in basic media [22]. Shen et al. have synthesized PEGylated capped MSNs and covered with MPTMS, to be used as a gatekeeper [23]. Cheng et al. reported the functionalization of MSNs with pH-sensitive trimethylammonium as pH-controllable drug release [24]. Xia et al. reported the preparation of MSNs coated with amine and encapsulated doxorubicin inside their pores and then sealed the external surface with cellulose through esterification [25]. Liu and coworkers reported the synthesis of MSNs coated with amine and used to load with doxorubicin (Dox) [26]. Chen et al. reported the preparation of mesoporous silica modified with amine for loading and releasing Dox using a capping concept. The drug can be released with control minor by detachment of the capped nanoparticles that block the MSN pores [27].Shao et al. reported the preparation of Janus silver-mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Ag-MSNs) as nanocarriers [28]. It was found that Dox-loaded Ag-MSNs were pH-responsive drug release, leading to inhibit the growth of cancer cell, rather than human normal cells. Wang et al. engineered Janus-structured gold-mesoporous silica nanoparticles and modified with folic acid for enhancing HCC targeting and internalization [29]. Dox release from loaded nanosystem was studied from the mesopores in a pH-responsive manner. Dong and coworkers have reported the synthesis of Janus magnetic head with Dox-loaded mesoporous silica as “nanobullets” [30, 31]. Such nanoparticles were used to inhibit the growth of cancer cell, due to pH-promoted Dox release in the interior of cancer cells. MSNs with large internal pores have been prepared for the controlled delivery of biomacromolecules (protein and nucleic acid) with low toxicity [32].Cheng et al. developed a multifunctional nanosystem based on Dox-gated MSNs for combined tumor chemotherapy and photothermal and gene therapies [33]. This nanoplatform could specifically target cancer cells, minimizing damage to the normal cells. A new drug delivery system based on d-a-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS)-functionalized polydopamine-coated MSNs was developed by Cheng et al. [34]. Polydopamine-coated MSNs could degrade at low pH, leading to release Dox to damage cell lung cancer. Dual pH and glucose sensitivity nanocarrier were designed to control the drug release via the detection of glucose and pH levels [35]. Oxaliplatin prodrug (Oxa(IV)) encapsulated in TPGS functionalized MSNs was synthesized to release the drug in acidic media in cancerous tissue and the reductants in cancer cells [36]. A facile drug-self-gated MSN nanocarrier via a pH-sensitive benzoic-imine covalent bond was demonstrated by Zeng et al. [37]. At weak acidic cancerous cells, loaded Dox could be released due to the hydrolyzation of benzoic-imine bonds. Zhang et al. fabricated bioresponsive controlled delivery nanoplatform based on the assembly and disassembly of gold nanoparticles from the MSN surface [38]. Drug could be trapped inside the nanopores by AuNPs functionalized with aptamer, and the drug can be released in the presence of adenosine molecules.Li and coworkers reported the synthesis of magnetic MSNs with high drug-loading amounts and pH-responsive control drug release. Dox-loaded magnetic MSNs could selectively damage the cancer cells in vitro [39]. Yue et al. have prepared MSNs and mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (ss-MONs) as nanocarriers for loading Dox in liver cancer cell treatment [40]. The ss-MONs-Dox showed better anticancer efficacy than MSNs-Dox, due to that ss-MONs have good degradability with reductive glutathione, leading to the enhancement of Dox release. Chen et al. have recently reported the synthesis of pH/glutathione (GSH) dual-sensitive nanoplatform based on silica nanoparticle for targeting cancer cells [41]. The novel nanocarrier was pH-sensitive in the weakly acidic cancerous cells.In this work, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized with amine, thiol, and sulfonic groups along the inner surface and with high surface area and average pore size of ca. 5 nm. Thereafter, MSN external surfaces were modified with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride groups. All materials were loaded with doxycycline (Doxy) to study their capacities and uploading time. Amine, thiol, and sulfonic groups in the internal surfaces may allow precise control of the drug release from MSN pores. This hypothesis is examined using BET, FT-IR, and UV-vis.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Materials

Deionized water (DI water) was taken from Elga Pure Nanopore system. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS, 98%), N-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, 98%), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES, 95%), ammonium hydroxide (28 wt.%),n-hexane (HPLC grade), (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS, 95%), ethanol (99.8%, HPLC grade), and toluene (analytical grade) were bought from Sigma-Aldrich. Trimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (50%) was obtained from Tokyo Chemical Industry (TCI). Ammonium nitrate (analytical grade, 95%) was bought from Fisher Scientific. All the chemicals in this work were used as received.


### 2.2. Preparation and Functionalization of Mesoporous Silica

#### 2.2.1. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A mixture of n-hexane (20 mL) and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times) and then dried in an oven at 110°C.


#### 2.2.2. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Amine in the Pores (MSNs-NH2)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A solution contained n-hexane (20 mL), APTES (0.2 mL), and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times) and then dried in an oven at 110°C.


#### 2.2.3. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Thiol in the Pores (MSNs-SH)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A solution contained n-hexane (20 mL), MPTMS (0.2 mL), and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times), and then, dried in an oven at 110°C.


### 2.3. Functionalization and Nanochannel Formation of Mesoporous Silica

#### 2.3.1. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs)

MSNs (1 g) were suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(a)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.Scheme 1
Illustration of surface modification process of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). (a) Outer surface of MSNs modified with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs), (b) external surface of MSNs-NH2 functionalized with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-NH2), (c) external surface of MSNs-SH functionalized with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-SH), and (d) outer surface of MSNs-SO3− modified with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−).


#### 2.3.2. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-NH2with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs-NH2)

1 g of MSNs-NH2 was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme 1(b)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


#### 2.3.3. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-SH with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs-SH)

1 g of MSNs-SH was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(c)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


#### 2.3.4. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-SO3− with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs (-SO3− in Inner Surface))

1 g of MSNs-SH was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(d)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide under refluxing for 12 h under stirring. The final product was centrifuged, washed with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


### 2.4. Doxycycline (Doxy) Loading and pH-Triggered Release

To determine the loading capacity and efficiency of encapsulation at different times, each prepared nanoparticle was dispersed in deionized water with a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Doxy was added to the suspension with a concentration of 0.5 mg Doxy per mg of fabricated nanoparticles, and the pH of the resulting mixture was adjusted to 6.5 or 7.4. Each mixture was shaken at room temperature for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360, or 480 min. After each time period, the mixtures were centrifuged and washed two times with 1 cm3 buffer solutions. All fragments of each experiment were combined to determine the Doxy concentration in the final solution by the colorimetric method. The unloaded Doxy concentration was calculated on the basis of a calibration curve of Doxy in buffer.Doxy-loaded nanoparticles of each type were suspended in (pH = 3, pH = 5, pH = 6.5, pH = 7.4, and pH = 8.5) solution at a concentration of 0.25 mg NPs/mL. At a certain time, the nanoparticles were separated, and aliquot supernatant was removed and replaced with an equal volume of buffer solution. The amount of Doxy released was determined based on the calibration curve.The efficiency of encapsulation (EE) and loading capacity (LC) was calculated as follows:(1)LC%=weight of loaded drugweight of nanoparticles×100,EE%=weight of loaded drugweight of drug in feed×100.


### 2.5. Measurement and Characterization

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM): JEOL JSM-6380 LA was used to image the dried nanomaterial without any treatment. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM): a drop of dilute nanoparticles suspended in HPLC ethanol was placed on a copper grid and dried at 25°C, and then, TEM image was collected by JEOL JEM-1230. Surface area analysis: nanoparticle surface areas were determined by nitrogen physisorption isotherms on a Micromeritics Gemini 2375 volumetric analyzer. Each prepared sample was degassed at least 5 h at 120°C. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas were calculated by experimental points at a relative pressure (P/Po) of 0.05–0.25. The pore volume was calculated from the adsorption of N2 at the P/Po of 0.99. The average pore size distribution was determined using the Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) model. FT-IR spectroscopy: IR spectra of all prepared samples were collected by the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 instrument. The spectra were obtained in KBr pellets in the 4000–400 cm−1 region with a resolution of 4 cm−1. UV-vis spectra: Shimadzu (UV-2600) UV-vis spectrophotometer was used for all experiments. Dynamic light scattering (DLS): the intensity-average hydrodynamic diameter of all nanomaterials was measured by the Malvern Zetasizer instrument. All samples were dispersed in a buffer solution of PBS and analyzed using disposable plastic cuvettes.


## 2.1. Materials

Deionized water (DI water) was taken from Elga Pure Nanopore system. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS, 98%), N-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, 98%), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES, 95%), ammonium hydroxide (28 wt.%),n-hexane (HPLC grade), (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS, 95%), ethanol (99.8%, HPLC grade), and toluene (analytical grade) were bought from Sigma-Aldrich. Trimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (50%) was obtained from Tokyo Chemical Industry (TCI). Ammonium nitrate (analytical grade, 95%) was bought from Fisher Scientific. All the chemicals in this work were used as received.


## 2.2. Preparation and Functionalization of Mesoporous Silica

### 2.2.1. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A mixture of n-hexane (20 mL) and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times) and then dried in an oven at 110°C.


### 2.2.2. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Amine in the Pores (MSNs-NH2)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A solution contained n-hexane (20 mL), APTES (0.2 mL), and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times) and then dried in an oven at 110°C.


### 2.2.3. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Thiol in the Pores (MSNs-SH)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A solution contained n-hexane (20 mL), MPTMS (0.2 mL), and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times), and then, dried in an oven at 110°C.


## 2.2.1. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A mixture of n-hexane (20 mL) and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times) and then dried in an oven at 110°C.


## 2.2.2. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Amine in the Pores (MSNs-NH2)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A solution contained n-hexane (20 mL), APTES (0.2 mL), and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times) and then dried in an oven at 110°C.


## 2.2.3. Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Thiol in the Pores (MSNs-SH)

In a 250 ml flask, CTAB (1 g) was dissolved in 155 mL deionized water and stirred for 10 min, and then, NH4OH (7 mL) was added to the mixture. A solution contained n-hexane (20 mL), MPTMS (0.2 mL), and TEOS (5 mL) was added to the reaction under stirring and left overnight at 35°C. Prepared nanoparticles were separated and washed with deionized water (3 times) and ethanol (3 times), and then, dried in an oven at 110°C.


## 2.3. Functionalization and Nanochannel Formation of Mesoporous Silica

### 2.3.1. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs)

MSNs (1 g) were suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(a)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.Scheme 1
Illustration of surface modification process of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). (a) Outer surface of MSNs modified with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs), (b) external surface of MSNs-NH2 functionalized with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-NH2), (c) external surface of MSNs-SH functionalized with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-SH), and (d) outer surface of MSNs-SO3− modified with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−).


### 2.3.2. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-NH2with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs-NH2)

1 g of MSNs-NH2 was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme 1(b)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


### 2.3.3. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-SH with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs-SH)

1 g of MSNs-SH was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(c)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


### 2.3.4. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-SO3− with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs (-SO3− in Inner Surface))

1 g of MSNs-SH was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(d)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide under refluxing for 12 h under stirring. The final product was centrifuged, washed with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


## 2.3.1. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs)

MSNs (1 g) were suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(a)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.Scheme 1
Illustration of surface modification process of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). (a) Outer surface of MSNs modified with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs), (b) external surface of MSNs-NH2 functionalized with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-NH2), (c) external surface of MSNs-SH functionalized with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-SH), and (d) outer surface of MSNs-SO3− modified with trimethyl[propyl]ammonium chloride group (TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−).


## 2.3.2. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-NH2with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs-NH2)

1 g of MSNs-NH2 was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme 1(b)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


## 2.3.3. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-SH with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs-SH)

1 g of MSNs-SH was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(c)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a solution of ammonium nitrate in ethanol (10 mg/mL) at 85°C for 12 h under stirring. The nanoparticles were centrifuged, washed 5 times with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


## 2.3.4. Functionalization of the External Surface of MSNs-SO3− with Trimethyl[propyl]ammonium Chloride Group (TMPAC-MSNs (-SO3− in Inner Surface))

1 g of MSNs-SH was suspended in 40 mL methanol containing TMSPAC (2 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight (Scheme1(d)). The product was separated by centrifugation, washed 5 times with methanol, and dried under vacuum. The template was removed using a mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide under refluxing for 12 h under stirring. The final product was centrifuged, washed with ethanol, and dried in an oven.


## 2.4. Doxycycline (Doxy) Loading and pH-Triggered Release

To determine the loading capacity and efficiency of encapsulation at different times, each prepared nanoparticle was dispersed in deionized water with a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Doxy was added to the suspension with a concentration of 0.5 mg Doxy per mg of fabricated nanoparticles, and the pH of the resulting mixture was adjusted to 6.5 or 7.4. Each mixture was shaken at room temperature for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360, or 480 min. After each time period, the mixtures were centrifuged and washed two times with 1 cm3 buffer solutions. All fragments of each experiment were combined to determine the Doxy concentration in the final solution by the colorimetric method. The unloaded Doxy concentration was calculated on the basis of a calibration curve of Doxy in buffer.Doxy-loaded nanoparticles of each type were suspended in (pH = 3, pH = 5, pH = 6.5, pH = 7.4, and pH = 8.5) solution at a concentration of 0.25 mg NPs/mL. At a certain time, the nanoparticles were separated, and aliquot supernatant was removed and replaced with an equal volume of buffer solution. The amount of Doxy released was determined based on the calibration curve.The efficiency of encapsulation (EE) and loading capacity (LC) was calculated as follows:(1)LC%=weight of loaded drugweight of nanoparticles×100,EE%=weight of loaded drugweight of drug in feed×100.


## 2.5. Measurement and Characterization

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM): JEOL JSM-6380 LA was used to image the dried nanomaterial without any treatment. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM): a drop of dilute nanoparticles suspended in HPLC ethanol was placed on a copper grid and dried at 25°C, and then, TEM image was collected by JEOL JEM-1230. Surface area analysis: nanoparticle surface areas were determined by nitrogen physisorption isotherms on a Micromeritics Gemini 2375 volumetric analyzer. Each prepared sample was degassed at least 5 h at 120°C. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas were calculated by experimental points at a relative pressure (P/Po) of 0.05–0.25. The pore volume was calculated from the adsorption of N2 at the P/Po of 0.99. The average pore size distribution was determined using the Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) model. FT-IR spectroscopy: IR spectra of all prepared samples were collected by the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 instrument. The spectra were obtained in KBr pellets in the 4000–400 cm−1 region with a resolution of 4 cm−1. UV-vis spectra: Shimadzu (UV-2600) UV-vis spectrophotometer was used for all experiments. Dynamic light scattering (DLS): the intensity-average hydrodynamic diameter of all nanomaterials was measured by the Malvern Zetasizer instrument. All samples were dispersed in a buffer solution of PBS and analyzed using disposable plastic cuvettes.


## 3. Results and Discussion

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to study the morphology of the prepared samples. SEM image shows that mesoporous silica is nearly spherical nanoparticle, with an average particle size of ca. 200 nm, as shown in Figure1(a). TEM image reveals that prepared samples are dispersed without aggregation, with a diameter ranging from 150 to 250 nm, which shows a good agreement with the SEM image (Figure 1(b)). Highly ordered array pores were observed from the TEM image, with a pore size of ca. 5 nm. No significant differences in SEM and TEM images were observed between nonmodified and modified MSNs, which is similar to the observation reported previously [42] (Figures 1S and 2S). Furthermore, the particle size distribution was investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS). Although some particles had sizes around 400 nm, the majority ranged between 100 and 300 nm. The average particle size was 220 nm for all fabricated nanomaterials (Figure 3S). This shows a good agreement with the size estimated by SEM and TEM.Figure 1
(a) SEM images of fabricated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (bare MSNs). (b) TEM images of prepared mesoporous silica nanoparticles (bare MSNs).
(a)(b)Bare MSNs, TMPAC-MSNs, TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and TMPAC-MSNs-SO3− were characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms were found to be type IV for all samples, which are typically for the mesoporous materials (Figure 2). At higher relative pressures, small different capillary condensation steps were observed for TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and TMPAC-MSNs-SO3− compared with bare MSNs and TMPAC-MSNs. The hysteresis loop was broader for bare MSNs and TMPAC-MSNs, compared to MSN internal modified surface, which confirms the modification process.Figure 2
Nitrogen adsorption isotherms of (■ black) bare MSNs, (● red) TMPAC-MSNs, (▲ blue) TMPAC-MSNs -NH2, (◆ green) TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and (■ purple) TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−.The physicochemical properties of all the samples are presented in Table1. Generally, there were reductions in surface area, and pore volumes were noted for functionalized MSNs. The average pore size was between 5 and 6 nm for all prepared samples, which agrees with the pore size that observed in the TEM image.Table 1
Physiochemical data obtained for fabricated nanoparticles.
Sample IDBET surface area (m2·g−1)Pore volume (cm3·g−1)Bare MSNs10291.18TMPAC-MSNs8751.08TMPAC-MSNs-NH26920.88TMPAC-MSNs-SH7090.79TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−7180.83FT-IR was utilized to characterize the bare MSNs, TMPAC-MSNs, TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−, as shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that wide bands at 1250–1050 cm−1 were ascribed to siloxane groups (Si–O–Si) bands, and peak at 800 cm−1 was ascribed to Si–O stretching vibration. Peak was noticed in all prepared samples at 1650 cm−1, which was ascribed to water bending vibration. The absorption peaks of surface-modified nanoparticles were noted at 1490 cm−1, which were ascribed to C–H as bending vibration in –CH2– groups, and peaks around 2930 cm−1 were assigned to C–H as stretch vibration. These characters provide an evidence of the successful functionalization of surface MSNs.Figure 3
FT-IR spectra obtained for (a) bare MSNs, (b) TMPAC-MSNs, (c) TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, (d) TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and (e) TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−.Elemental analysis was used to estimate the molecules attached to the surfaces of bare MSNs, TMPAC-MSNs, MSNs-NH2, TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, MSNs-SH, TMPAC-MSNs-SH, MSNs-SO3−, and TMPAC-MSNs-SO3− using the measured percentages of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur (Table 2). The results clearly show an increase in the percentage of N, C, S, and H elements on the modified MSNs compared to bare MSNs, which confirms the presence of the functional groups in internal and external surfaces of MSNs.Table 2
Elemental analysis data obtained for the fabricated mesoporous silica nanoparticles.
Sample IDN (%)C (%)H (%)S (%)Bare MSNs—1.41——TMPAC-MSNs1.146.511.78—MSNs-NH20.835.391.43—TMPAC-MSNs-NH21.798.712.17—MSNs-SH—4.491.312.09TMPAC-MSNs-SH1.247.822.141.82MSNs-SO3−—4.191.281.41TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−1.138.142.201.87Doxy is a tetracycline antibiotic that is widely used to treat serious bacterial infections, such as cholera, typhus, and syphilis. To the best of our knowledge, little work focuses on the interaction between Doxy and the internal surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The main goal of this study is to investigate the effect of selected functional groups in the inner surface on the drug release. To minimize the external surface effect, the outer surface of all fabricated nanoparticles was functionalized with TMPAC. Loading and release of Doxy were investigated as drug delivery vectors for TMPAC-MSNs, TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−. Doxy was loaded in these different MSNs samples at pH of 6.5 and 7.4 and at different loading time to allow Doxy to interact with the inner surfaces of the MSNs (Figure 4). For TMPAC-MSNs, TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, and TMPAC-MSNs-SH, the loading capacity dramatically increased to ca. 20%, in 60 min, and then remains at 25%, after 90 min for TMPAC-MSNs and TMPAC-MSNs-NH2 at both pH 6.5 and 74. However, in 60 min, the loading capacity of TMPAC-MSNs-SO3− increased to ca. 20% at pH 7.4 and 30% at pH 6.5 and then remains at 35%, after 90 min. The enhanced encapsulation efficiency of TMPAC-MSNs-SO3− compared to other fabricated materials indicates that Doxy (positive) could interact physically to the interior surfaces of TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−. The encapsulation efficiency for all fabricated materials was ca. 40% at different pH, except TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−. The encapsulation efficiency of MSNs with sulfonic groups in the internal surface was ca. 60% in acidic media. The surface charge of all prepared nanoparticles was found to be around 40 mV at pH 7.4, due to the surface functionalization with TMPAC (permanent positively charged) on the external surface of MSNs. It was noted that Doxy-loaded MSNs had similar surface zeta potential of unloaded MSNs (Figure 4S).Figure 4
Drug-loading profiles of Doxy in nanocarriers at different pH and loading time: (a) TMPAC-MSNs, (b) TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, (c) TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and (d) TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−.
(a)(b)(c)(d)The Doxy release profile of the fabricated nanoparticles was investigated in mild acidic (3, 5, and 6.5) and basic (7.4 and 8.5) pH conditions at room temperature (Figure5). The unmodified inner surfaces of MSNs material present clear drug release behaviour (Figure 5(a)). At pH higher than 5, about 20% release was noticed after an incubation of 72 hours. The drug release was higher at pH 3, to ca. 25%, which may be assigned to the physical adsorption between the drug and the inner surfaces of the samples. The release profile of TMPAC-MSNs-NH2 exhibited a constant release of ca. 35% at pH 8.5, after a 72-hour incubation period (Figure 5(b)). Upon decreasing the pH to 5, 6.5, and 7.4, approximately 40% of Doxy was released after a 72-hour incubation period. However, almost 50% of the drug was released when the Doxy-loaded TMPAC-MSNs-NH2 exposed to pH 3. The observation may be assigned to the attractive and repelling forces between the amino-modified internal surface and Doxy. The Doxy release profile of TMPAC-MSNs-SH is presented in Figure 5(c). No difference in the release behaviour was observed when the pH was changed. This results that the interaction behaviour between the thiol group and Doxy is not affected by the pH. Yet, when the thiol group was converted to sulfonic groups, Doxy release was ca. 55% after 72 hours at pH 7.4 and 8.5. In acidic media, there was a reduction in Doxy release due to the physical interaction between the surface and the drug.Figure 5
Drug release profiles of Doxy in nanocarriers at different pH and loading time: (a) TMPAC-MSNs, (b) TMPAC-MSNs-NH2, (c) TMPAC-MSNs-SH, and (d) TMPAC-MSNs-SO3−.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 4. Conclusions

In summary, we reported the preparation of MSNs different functional groups in the internal surface, and high surface area of ∼1000 m2/g, large pore volume of 1.2 cm3/g, and average pore size of ∼5.5 nm. Such materials were covered with cationic groups by attaching trimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride in the external surface. The characterizations via TEM, FT-IR, BET, and elemental analysis confirmed that the MSNs were prepared successfully. The loading capacity of TMPAC-MSNs-SO3− was found to be the highest with 30% at pH 6.5. Furthermore, the drug release was ca. 55% in a relatively controlled manner.



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