Design of experiments as a strategy for modulating the colloidal stability, physico-chemical properties and drug-delivery potential of small mesoporous silica nanoparticles

The synthesis of highly stable small mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SMSN) in colloid dispersions is still challenging for biomedical applications. This study is focus on the successfully synthesis and formulation of porous, highly dispersed and colloidal stable SMSN via the soft-templating method. This study reports how the differences in synthesis variables, namely, temperature, amount of triethylamine (TEA) and/or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) influence the morphology and textural properties of SMSN. The analysis of the particle size, surface area, pore size, pore volume, zeta potential, and colloidal stability (represent by absorbance decreasing rate) show that temperature is the most influential factor governing the preparation of SMSN. The optimal conditions found for the synthesis of these nanoparticles were 50 & DEG;C, using a molar ratio between TEA and CTAB (3.5971: 1). Therefore, our study shows interesting insights on the effect of each variable to control the morphology and properties of small MSN for the design of this kind of nanoparticulated systems, therefore, giving valuable data to be considered for the future construction of tailor-made effective drug carrier materials. & COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the influence of temperature and the amount of triethylamine (TEA) and/or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the morphology and properties of small mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SMSN). The results indicate that temperature is the most influential factor in the synthesis of SMSN.