Poly(p-phenylenevinylene) functionalized fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles for drug release and cell imaging

•Different fluorescent PPV@MSNs were synthesized by a facile strategy.•Novel core–shell structured fluorescent MSNs were successfully synthesized.•Different containing-PPV MSNs had excellent fluorescent properties and high PL QYs.•Novel fluorescent MSNs can be used in the controlled release and the cell imaging.

A fluorescent conjugated polymer of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) was incorporated into the mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) by an ion-exchange and in situ polymerization route. The PPV functionalized MSNs were further coated with a layer of mesoporous silica shell to form the core–shell MSNs (PPV@MSN@nSiO2@mSiO2) by the controlled hydrolysis and condensation of silica precursor combining the in situ sol–gel process. The obtained fluorescent MSNs containing PPV were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption/desorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results indicated that the novel containing-PPV MSNs had a diameter range of about 45–120 nm and a strong PL emission at 520 nm with a high fluorescent quantum yield (QY) up to 71%. The mesoporous features of fluorescence MSNs with or without core–shell structure imparted the capabilities of loading and releasing drug with a relatively high loading efficiency and a sustained release behavior of drugs. The investigations showed that these samples had a slow release effect of ibuprofen (IBU). In addition, the novel fluorescent MSNs were used in the in vitro researches of the imaging for human cervical cancer cells (HeLa).

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