Dual-templating synthesis of multi-shelled mesoporous silica nanoparticles as catalyst and drug carrier

A facile vesicle-templating approach has been developed for synthesis of multi-shelled mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs) through a self-assembly of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The obtained MMSNs displayed a spherical morphology, relatively uniform size distribution with an average diameter of 185 nm and a good biocompatibility. Controlled experiments demonstrated that the morphology and structure of MMSNs were mainly determined by the mass ratio of CTAB/SDBS in the reagents. A possible growth mechanism of MMSNs was proposed based on TEM, SEM, and N-2 sorption analysis, etc. Moreover, the Au-decorated MMSNs (Au@MMSNs) were constructed as the catalyst, which exhibited superior catalytic activity and good cycle stability for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Additionally, the MMSNs also showed high drug loading efficiency and the controlled pH-responsive release behavior for doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). More importantly, the anticancer effect of DOX@MMSNs towards A549 cell further confirmed MMSNs could be employed as an ideal drug carrier. As a consequence, the MMSNs prepared are potential excellent candidates for various applications including nanoreactors, drug delivery, and cancer therapy. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.