Development of an amorphous mesoporous TiO2 nanosphere as a novel carrier for poorly water-soluble drugs: Effect of different crystal forms of TiO2 carriers on drug loading and release behaviors

Cotton-like amorphous mesoporous titania (APMT) nanoparticles with 3-D netlike pores were synthesized by a simple and reproducible method and the potential of APMT as a carrier for poorly water-soluble drugs was explored. In order to study the effect of different crystal forms of titania on drug loading and release behaviors, a novel anatase mesoporous titania (ATMT) was also prepared through a facile method using pluronic F127 as a template and titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TIP) as a titania source. The model drug carvedilol (CAR) was effectively loaded into the pores of APMT and ATMT through solvent deposition method, according to results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In compared with ATMT, APMT showed a more rapid release profile, which may be attribute to the netlike pores, small pore size (2–3 nm) as well as absorbed water and hydrate water on the surface, based on results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption, SEM/TEM and in vitro dissolution test. Definitely, the results confirmed that the drug loading and release behaviors were heavily dependent on the crystal forms of the carriers, which will provide a new thread for formulation of poorly water-soluble drugs.

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► Simple synthesis of amorphous mesoporous TiO2 nanospheres with 3-D netlike pores.
► The feasibility of amorphous mesoporous TiO2 nanospheres as drug vehicles.
► The improved delivery of drugs by mesoporous TiO2.
► The establishment of relationship between the crystal forms of carriers and drug delivery property.