Novel drug delivery system of hollow mesoporous silica nanocapsules with thin shells: Preparation and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) release kinetics

Core-shell nanoparticles of Au@silica with a diameter of approximate 45-60 nm and wall thickness in range of 3-10 nm were synthesized by using 40 and 50 nm gold nanoparticles as the templates. The mesoporous particles are regulated by 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane addition. Hollow mesoporous silica nanocapsules (HMSNs) were prepared by using sodium cyanide to dissolve the gold cores. The characterization of Au@silica and HMSNs by transmission electronic microscope indicated that the silica shells were uniform and smooth, and also the porosity was proved by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) release experiments. The ratio of hollow core to HMSNs is more than 70%. HMSNs were subsequently used as drug carrier to investigate FITC (as a model drug) release behaviors in vitro. Fluorescent spectrometry was performed to determine the release kinetics from the HMSNs. The release profiles are significantly different as compared with the control (free FITC), which show that HMSNs are good drug carriers to control drug release, and have high potential in therapeutic drugs delivery in future applications.