Zinc(II)-benzoato complexes immobilised in mesoporous silica host

Mesoporous silica (MS) was synthesised using amphiphilic PEO-PPO-PEO surfactant (Pluronic F127). This chemically stable matrix composed of micropores and mesopores was used as host system for two bactericidal zinc(II) complexes of distinct structure types. The composite materials were characterised by thermogravimetry (TGA), IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Different loadings were achieved for the respective complexes. Their values were comparable with those obtained by incorporation of ibuprofen into MCM-41. The correlation of the results of XRD, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, X-ray structural analysis of the complexes and their interactions with the silica walls is discussed in the paper. Finally, the time dependence of the release of the complexes from the mesoporous system was investigated.