Multi-Responsive Ibuprofen-Imprinted Core-Shell Nanocarriers for Specific Drug Recognition and Controlled Release

Fabrication of a highly efficient protocol to synthesize magnetic core-shell imprinted nanospheres with controlled imprinted layer thickness remains a challenge and attracts a prominent amount of attention. Here, we developed an efficient high pressure assisted precipitation polymerization strategy to prepare magnetic core-shell imprinted nano spheres. In this work, the concentrations of the core particles, monomer, and cross-linker are raised to promote the synthesis efficiency and reduce the usage of solvent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images reveal that this method could precisely control the thickness of MIP layer from 40 to 150 nm. After further modifying the imprinted nanospheres with hydrophilic dual-responsive macromolecular chains, the obtained modified-MIP nanospheres showed excellent rebinding capacity and fine selectivity recognition ability for templates in aqueous solution. When the modified-MIP nanospheres were used as drug release carriers, they manifested a controlled release property of ibuprofen in the trigger of temperature and UV light. Therefore, this synthesis strategy provides a convenient way to prepare the core-shell imprinted nanospheres.