Western Kentucky University
Reactive Group Functionalized Silsesquioxane Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications: Synthesis, Characterization and Particle Morphology
Institution
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Hemali Rathnayake
Abstract
Nanoscale particles derived from silicon, such as silica and siloxane are important examples of nanomaterials that can be applied in materials, electronics or biological context. As the surface of silica or siloxane core structure can be easily functionalized with various organic functional groups, there has been a great effort to use them as biological carriers, including the silsesquioxane nanoparticles described here. Two types of reactive group functionalized silsesquioxane naoparticles were prepared by direct hydrolysis and condensation of their respective silane precursors. Particle sizes were controlled upon adjusting the molar ratios of organotrialkoxy silane, base, and TEOS concentrations. These resulting nanoparticles with reactive amine groups were found to be more advantageous over functionalized silica or organically modified silica nanoparticles due to the higher load of covalently attached ligands and the high solubility in water. Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles was studied in vivo for potential applicability for cancer-targeted drug delivery applications.
Reactive Group Functionalized Silsesquioxane Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications: Synthesis, Characterization and Particle Morphology
Nanoscale particles derived from silicon, such as silica and siloxane are important examples of nanomaterials that can be applied in materials, electronics or biological context. As the surface of silica or siloxane core structure can be easily functionalized with various organic functional groups, there has been a great effort to use them as biological carriers, including the silsesquioxane nanoparticles described here. Two types of reactive group functionalized silsesquioxane naoparticles were prepared by direct hydrolysis and condensation of their respective silane precursors. Particle sizes were controlled upon adjusting the molar ratios of organotrialkoxy silane, base, and TEOS concentrations. These resulting nanoparticles with reactive amine groups were found to be more advantageous over functionalized silica or organically modified silica nanoparticles due to the higher load of covalently attached ligands and the high solubility in water. Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles was studied in vivo for potential applicability for cancer-targeted drug delivery applications.