Influence of pore size of MCM-41 matrices on drug delivery rate

The influence of pore size of MCM-41 materials on drug delivery rate has been studied. In order to achieve this objective, small pore size MCM-41 materials have been synthesised from mixtures of two different alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants with chain length of 8 and 10 carbon atoms. The analgesic ibuprofen was introduced into the pore channels and its delivery to the media has been measured and compared with the delivery from bigger pore-sized MCM-41 obtained from surfactants of 12 and 16 atoms of carbon. This study has revealed that the delivery rate of ibuprofen in a simulating body fluid solution decreases as the pore size decreases in the range of 3.6-2.5 nm. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.