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Preparation of Functional Silica Using a Bioinspired Method
Published on: August 1, 2018
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Engineering silica-stabilized Pickering emulsions as versatile protein carriers.
Xin Guan1, Yali Ming2, Yang Zhou3
1College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N. T., Hong Kong.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|August 29, 2025
Summary
Silica nanoparticles stabilize oil-in-water Pickering emulsions for biomedical uses. Tailoring nanoparticle properties precisely controls emulsion characteristics and enhances protein delivery and immune responses for drug delivery and vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Pickering emulsions (PEs) offer superior stability and biocompatibility over traditional emulsions.
- Particle-stabilized interfaces in PEs are key for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and utilize silica nanoparticles (SNPs) as stabilizers for oil-in-water (o/w) PEs.
- To evaluate SNP-stabilized PEs as protein carriers using model proteins.
- To investigate the influence of SNP properties on PE characteristics and protein adsorption.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with tunable properties (size, charge, morphology).
- Formation of o/w PEs stabilized by SNPs.
- Evaluation of protein (bovine serum albumin, viral glycoprotein E) adsorption and carrier feasibility.
- Analysis of droplet size, stability, and protein adsorption efficiency based on SNP properties and emulsification strategies.
Main Results:
- SNP properties precisely controlled PE droplet size, stability, and protein adsorption.
- Co-loading of antigens and immunostimulants demonstrated biocompatibility and enhanced immune responses.
- Established structure-function relationships between SNP characteristics, PE performance, and protein loading.
Conclusions:
- SNP-stabilized PEs are versatile platforms for protein delivery.
- Rational design of SNP properties enables tailored emulsion performance.
- These PEs show promise for drug delivery and as novel vaccine adjuvants.
