Gradual hydrophobization of silica aerogel for controlled drug release

We report on the successful fine-tuning of silica aerogel hydrophobicity, through a gas-phase surface modification process. Aerogel hydrophobicity is a widely discussed matter, as it contributes to the aerogel's preservation and determines its functionality. Still, a general procedure for tuning the hydrophobicity, without affecting other aerogel properties was missing. In the developed procedure, silica aerogel was modified with trimethylchlorosilane vapor for varying durations, resulting in gradual hydrophobicity, determined by solid-state NMR and contact angle measurements. The generality of this post-synthesis treatment allows its application on a variety of aerogel materials, while having minimum effect on their porosity and transparency. We demonstrate the applicability of the gradual hydrophobization by tuning drug release rates from the silica aerogel. Two chlorhexidine salts - widely employed as antiseptic agents - were used as model drugs, one representing a soluble drug, and the other an insoluble drug; they were entrapped in silica aerogel, following hydrophobization to varying degrees. The drug release patterns showed that depending on the degree, hydrophobization can increase or decrease release kinetics, compared to the unmodified aerogel. This arises from the effect of the hydrophobic degree on pore structure, diffusional rates and wetting of the aerogel carrier. We suggest the use of the gradual hydrophobization process for other drug-aerogel systems, as well as for other aerogel applications, such as transparent insulation panels, contaminate sorbents or catalysis supports.