Polymer–silica composite as a carrier of an active pharmaceutical ingredient

• Drug release system composed of polymer and silica is tested.
• The diffusion of drug may be controlled by adjustment of the carrier porosity.
• The polymer is a host material for active agent.
• The silica plays the role of regulating membrane for drug diffusion.

The present article describes the synthesis of a novel type of a composite which has potential application in controlled drug release. The system comprises of the porous polymer matrix with embedded active agent and the silica gel. The silica is introduced into the polymer beads with encapsulated drug by swelling in tetraethoxysilane as the silica precursor. After the condensation of the silica source, the silica membrane is formed inside the core of pores. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) allow for the assumption that the examined polymer–drug–silica composite is rich in silica, homogeneously dispersed within the polymer matrix. What is more, the introduction of the siliceous membrane significantly changes the porosity, which affects drug diffusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the drug release process from the pure polymer and polymer–silica composite with regard to their structural parameters. The drug desorption was examined in a NaCl solution and in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at different temperatures.

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