Multimodal nanoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with aminopropyl groups for improving loading and controlled release of doxorubicin hydrochloride

•Multimodal nanoporous silica nanoparticles (M-NSNs) were successfully synthesized.•M-NSNs were amino modified (M-NSNs-NH2) using post-grafting method.•DOX loaded M-NSNS-NH2 had higher drug loading capacity than DOX loaded M-NSNs.•M-NSNs-NH2 was superior in prolonging DOX release than M-NSNs.

The purpose of this study was to develop amino modified multimodal nanoporous silica nanoparticles (M-NSNs-NH2) loaded with doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), intended to enhance the drug loading capacity and to achieve controlled release effect. M-NSNs were functionalized with aminopropyl groups through post-synthesis. The contribution of large pore sizes and surface chemical groups on DOX loading and release were systemically studied using transmission electron microscope (TEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet spectrophotometer (UV). The results demonstrated that the NSNs were functionalized with aminopropyl successfully and the DOX molecules were adsorbed inside the nanopores by the hydrogen bonding. The release performance indicated that DOX loaded M-NSNs significantly controlled DOX release, furthermore DOX loaded M-NSNs-NH2 performed slower controlled release, which was mainly attributed to its stronger hydrogen bonding forces. As expected, we developed a novel carrier with high drug loading capacity and controlled release for DOX.

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