Sustained release from mesoporous nanoparticles: evaluation of structural properties associated with release rate

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Mesoporous nanoparticles offer tunable structures for drug delivery applications.
• Functionalization of internal pore surfaces is crucial for controlled release.
• Understanding structure-property relationships is key to optimizing nanoparticle design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the controlled release of amino acid-derived amphiphilic molecules from mesoporous nanoparticles.
• To correlate release profiles with nanoparticle structural properties (cubic, hexagonal, mesocaged).
• To evaluate the impact of pore functionalization and drug binding sites on release kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous nanoparticles with cubic and hexagonal structures.
• Functionalization of internal pore surfaces with amine moieties using a one-pot method.
• Monitoring drug release using Alternating Ionic Current (AIC) measurements.

Main Results:

• Diffusion coefficients were up to four orders of magnitude lower in 2D structures compared to 3D mesoporous solids.
• Mesocaged materials (AMS-9, AMS-8) exhibited faster release, potentially due to structural defects.
• Pore wall functionalization and drug binding site density had minimal impact on release rate.

Conclusions:

• Nanoparticle architecture, particularly dimensionality (2D vs. 3D), significantly dictates drug diffusion and release rates.
• Structural defects in mesocaged systems can influence release kinetics.
• Optimizing drug release requires careful consideration of pore geometry and connectivity over surface functionalization.