posted on 2018-01-11, 00:00authored byHsin-Yi Chiu, Dorothée Gößl, Lisa Haddick, Hanna Engelke, Thomas Bein
Large-pore
mesoporous silica nanoparticles (LP-MSNs) with defined
particle size (<200 nm) are promising carrier systems for the cellular
delivery of macromolecules. Ideal nanocarriers should be adaptable
in their surface properties to optimize host–guest interactions;
thus, surface functionalization of the nanovehicles is highly desirable.
In this study, we synthesized various monofunctional LP-MSNs by incorporating
different organic groups into the silica framework via a co-condensation
approach. Further, we applied a delayed co-condensation strategy to
create spatially segregated core–shell bifunctional LP-MSNs.
Diverse particle morphologies were obtained by adding different organosilanes
to the silica precursor solution. The effect of organosilanes in the
co-condensation process on particle size and pore structure formation
is also discussed. Surface functional groups were then used for binding
stimuli-responsive linkers. These were finally exploited for copper-free
click chemistry for cargo conjugation to create a delivery system
with controlled cargo release. Model cargo release experiments in
buffer using these new multifunctional LP-MSNs demonstrate their ability
in controlled cargo uptake and release and their potential for biomolecule
delivery.