Novel amorphous microporous silica spheres for controlled release applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Developing advanced drug delivery systems is crucial for sustained therapeutic effects.
• Microporous materials offer potential for controlled release applications due to their high surface area and tunable pore structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel spherical amorphous microporous silica (AMS) particles.
• To investigate the loading and in vitro release of ibuprofen from these AMS particles.
• To evaluate the potential of AMS spheres for long-term controlled drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of spherical amorphous microporous silica (AMS) particles using an oil drop method.
• Loading of molten ibuprofen into the prepared AMS particles.
• In vitro drug release studies to determine release kinetics and diffusion coefficients.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized spherical AMS particles (approx. 100 µm diameter, <2 nm pore diameter).
• Achieved successful loading of ibuprofen into the AMS pores.
• Demonstrated a slow pore diffusion-controlled release of ibuprofen lasting up to 14 days.
• Determined ibuprofen diffusion coefficients in the range of 10(-15) -10(-16) m(2) s(-1).

Conclusions:

• Amorphous microporous silica (AMS) spheres are effective carriers for controlled release of small drug molecules.
• The pore diffusion mechanism facilitates long-term drug release profiles.
• The spherical morphology of AMS particles enhances powder flow and ensures reliable release, beneficial for pharmaceutical formulations.