Research

Jump to: Review

23 pages, 8097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Carvone-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Siloxanes Capture from Biogas

by Patrycja Makoś-Chełstowska, Edyta Słupek, Aleksandra Kramarz and Jacek Gębicki

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179551 - 02 Sep 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2225

During biogas combustion, siloxanes form deposits of SiO₂ on engine components, thus shortening the lifespan of the installation. Therefore, the development of new methods for the purification of biogas is receiving increasing attention. One of the most effective methods is physical absorption [...] Read more.

During biogas combustion, siloxanes form deposits of SiO₂ on engine components, thus shortening the lifespan of the installation. Therefore, the development of new methods for the purification of biogas is receiving increasing attention. One of the most effective methods is physical absorption with the use of appropriate solvents. According to the principles of green engineering, solvents should be biodegradable, non-toxic, and have a high absorption capacity. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) possess such characteristics. In the literature, due to the very large number of DES combinations, conductor-like screening models for real solvents (COSMO-RS), based on the comparison of siloxane activity coefficient of 90 DESs of various types, were studied. DESs, which have the highest affinity to siloxanes, were synthesized. The most important physicochemical properties of DESs were carefully studied. In order to explain of the mechanism of DES formation, and the interaction between DES and siloxanes, the theoretical studies based on σ-profiles, and experimental studies including the ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and FT-IR spectra, were applied. The obtained results indicated that the new DESs, which were composed of carvone and carboxylic acids, were characterized by the highest affinity to siloxanes. It was shown that the hydrogen bonds between the active ketone group (=O) and the carboxyl group (-COOH) determined the formation of stable DESs with a melting point much lower than those of the individual components. On the other hand, non-bonded interactions mainly determined the effective capture of siloxanes with DES. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 14435 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adsorption and Release of Sulfamethizole from Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Functionalised with Triethylenetetramine

by Cristina Carucci, Nicola Scalas, Andrea Porcheddu, Marco Piludu, Maura Monduzzi and Andrea Salis

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(14), 7665; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147665 - 17 Jul 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2751

Abstract

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were synthesised and functionalised with triethylenetetramine (MSN-TETA). The samples were fully characterised (transmission electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms) and used as carriers for the adsorption of [...] Read more.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were synthesised and functionalised with triethylenetetramine (MSN-TETA). The samples were fully characterised (transmission electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms) and used as carriers for the adsorption of the antimicrobial drug sulphamethizole (SMZ). SMZ loading, quantified by UV–Vis spectroscopy, was higher on MSN-TETA (345.8 mg g⁻¹) compared with bare MSN (215.4 mg g⁻¹) even in the presence of a lower surface area (671 vs. 942 m² g⁻¹). The kinetics of SMZ adsorption on MSN and MSN-TETA followed a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherm is described better by a Langmuir model rather than a Temkin or Freundlich model. Release kinetics showed a burst release of SMZ from bare MSN samples (k₁ = 136 h⁻¹) in contrast to a slower release found with MSN-TETA (k₁ = 3.04 h⁻¹), suggesting attractive intermolecular interactions slow down SMZ release from MSN-TETA. In summary, the MSN surface area did not influence SMZ adsorption and release. On the contrary, the design of an effective drug delivery system must consider the intermolecular interactions between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 3118 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards the Enhancement of Essential Oil Components’ Antimicrobial Activity Using New Zein Protein-Gated Mesoporous Silica Microdevices

by Elisa Poyatos-Racionero, Gemma Guarí-Borràs, María Ruiz-Rico, Ángela Morellá-Aucejo, Elena Aznar, José Manuel Barat, Ramón Martínez-Máñez, María Dolores Marcos and Andrea Bernardos

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(7), 3795; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073795 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2379

Abstract

The development of new food preservatives is essential to prevent foodborne outbreaks or food spoilage due to microbial growth, enzymatic activity or oxidation. Furthermore, new compounds that substitute the commonly used synthetic food preservatives are needed to stifle the rising problem of microbial [...] Read more.

The development of new food preservatives is essential to prevent foodborne outbreaks or food spoilage due to microbial growth, enzymatic activity or oxidation. Furthermore, new compounds that substitute the commonly used synthetic food preservatives are needed to stifle the rising problem of microbial resistance. In this scenario, we report herein, as far as we know, for the first time the use of the zein protein as a gating moiety and its application for the controlled release of essential oil components (EOCs). The design of microdevices consist of mesoporous silica particles loaded with essential oils components (thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde) and functionalized with the zein (prolamin) protein found in corn as a molecular gate. The zein protein grafted on the synthesized microdevices is degraded by the proteolytic action of bacterial enzymatic secretions with the consequent release of the loaded essential oil components efficiently inhibiting bacterial growth. The results allow us to conclude that the new microdevice presented here loaded with the essential oil component cinnamaldehyde improved the antimicrobial properties of the free compound by decreasing volatility and increasing local concentration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of Boronophenylalanine-Loaded Biodegradable Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles for BNCT Cancer Therapy

by Fuyuhiko Tamanoi, Shanmugavel Chinnathambi, Mathilde Laird, Aoi Komatsu, Albane Birault, Takushi Takata, Tan Le-Hoang Doan, Ngoc Xuan Dat Mai, Arthur Raitano, Kendall Morrison, Minoru Suzuki and Kotaro Matsumoto

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(5), 2251; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052251 - 24 Feb 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3777

Abstract

Biodegradable periodic mesoporous organosilica (BPMO) has recently emerged as a promising type of mesoporous silica-based nanoparticle for biomedical applications. Like mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), BPMO possesses a large surface area where various compounds can be attached. In this work, we attached boronophenylalanine ( [...] Read more.

Biodegradable periodic mesoporous organosilica (BPMO) has recently emerged as a promising type of mesoporous silica-based nanoparticle for biomedical applications. Like mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), BPMO possesses a large surface area where various compounds can be attached. In this work, we attached boronophenylalanine (¹⁰BPA) to the surface and explored the potential of this nanomaterial for delivering boron-10 for use in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). This cancer therapy is based on the principle that the exposure of boron-10 to thermal neutron results in the release of α-particles that kill cancer cells. To attach ¹⁰BPA, the surface of BPMO was modified with diol groups which facilitated the efficient binding of ¹⁰BPA, yielding ¹⁰BPA-loaded BPMO (¹⁰BPA-BPMO). Surface modification with phosphonate was also carried out to increase the dispersibility of the nanoparticles. To investigate this nanomaterial’s potential for BNCT, we first used human cancer cells and found that ¹⁰BPA-BPMO nanoparticles were efficiently taken up into the cancer cells and were localized in perinuclear regions. We then used a chicken egg tumor model, a versatile and convenient tumor model used to characterize nanomaterials. After observing significant tumor accumulation, ¹⁰BPA-BPMO injected chicken eggs were evaluated by irradiating with neutron beams. Dramatic inhibition of the tumor growth was observed. These results suggest the potential of ¹⁰BPA-BPMO as a novel boron agent for BNCT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oral Drug Delivery Systems Based on Ordered Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Modulating the Release of Aprepitant

by Theodora Christoforidou, Dimitra Giasafaki, Eleftherios G. Andriotis, Nikolaos Bouropoulos, Nikoleta F. Theodoroula, Ioannis S. Vizirianakis, Theodore Steriotis, Georgia Charalambopoulou and Dimitrios G. Fatouros

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041896 - 14 Feb 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3305

Abstract

Two different types of ordered mesoporous nanoparticles, namely MCM-41 and MCM-48, with similar pore sizes but different pore connectivity, were loaded with aprepitant via a passive diffusion method. The percentage of the loaded active agent, along with the encapsulation efficiency, was evaluated using [...] Read more.

Two different types of ordered mesoporous nanoparticles, namely MCM-41 and MCM-48, with similar pore sizes but different pore connectivity, were loaded with aprepitant via a passive diffusion method. The percentage of the loaded active agent, along with the encapsulation efficiency, was evaluated using High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis complemented by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The determination of the pore properties of the mesoporous particles before and after the drug loading revealed the presence of confined aprepitant in the pore structure of the particles, while Powder X-ray Diffractometry(pXRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and FTIR experiments indicated that the drug is in an amorphous state. The release profiles of the drug from the two different mesoporous materials were studied in various release media and revealed an aprepitant release up to 45% when sink conditions are applied. The cytocompatibility of the silica nanoparticles was assessed in Caco-2 cell monolayers, in the presence and absence of the active agent, suggesting that they can be used as carriers of aprepitant without presenting any toxicity in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3045 KiB

Open AccessArticle

PEG-Coated Large Mesoporous Silicas as Smart Platform for Protein Delivery and Their Use in a Collagen-Based Formulation for 3D Printing

by Federica Banche-Niclot, Giorgia Montalbano, Sonia Fiorilli and Chiara Vitale-Brovarone

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041718 - 09 Feb 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2930

Abstract

Silica-based mesoporous systems have gained great interest in drug delivery applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and high loading capability. However, these materials face challenges in terms of pore-size limitations since they are characterized by nanopores ranging between 6–8 nm and thus unsuitable [...] Read more.

Silica-based mesoporous systems have gained great interest in drug delivery applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and high loading capability. However, these materials face challenges in terms of pore-size limitations since they are characterized by nanopores ranging between 6–8 nm and thus unsuitable to host large molecular weight molecules such as proteins, enzymes and growth factors (GFs). In this work, for an application in the field of bone regeneration, large-pore mesoporous silicas (LPMSs) were developed to vehicle large biomolecules and release them under a pH stimulus. Considering bone remodeling, the proposed pH-triggered mechanism aims to mimic the release of GFs encased in the bone matrix due to bone resorption by osteoclasts (OCs) and the associated pH drop. To this aim, LPMSs were prepared by using 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene (TMB) as a swelling agent and the synthesis solution was hydrothermally treated and the influence of different process temperatures and durations on the resulting mesostructure was investigated. The synthesized particles exhibited a cage-like mesoporous structure with accessible pores of diameter up to 23 nm. LPMSs produced at 140 °C for 24 h showed the best compromise in terms of specific surface area, pores size and shape and hence, were selected for further experiments. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used as model protein to evaluate the ability of the LPMSs to adsorb and release large biomolecules. After HRP-loading, LPMSs were coated with a pH-responsive polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), allowing the release of the incorporated biomolecules in response to a pH decrease, in an attempt to mimic GFs release in bone under the acidic pH generated by the resorption activity of OCs. The reported results proved that PEG-coated carriers released HRP more quickly in an acidic environment, due to the protonation of PEG at low pH that catalyzes polymer hydrolysis reaction. Our findings indicate that LPMSs could be used as carriers to deliver large biomolecules and prove the effectiveness of PEG as pH-responsive coating. Finally, as proof of concept, a collagen-based suspension was obtained by incorporating PEG-coated LPMS carriers into a type I collagen matrix with the aim of designing a hybrid formulation for 3D-printing of bone scaffolds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 3252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potentiometric Study of Carbon Nanotube/Surfactant Interactions by Ion-Selective Electrodes. Driving Forces in the Adsorption and Dispersion Processes

by Francisco José Ostos, José Antonio Lebrón, María Luisa Moyá, Eva Bernal, Ana Flores, Cristian Lépori, Ángeles Maestre, Francisco Sánchez, Pilar López-Cornejo and Manuel López-López

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(2), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22020826 - 15 Jan 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3621

Abstract

The interaction (adsorption process) of commercial ionic surfactants with non-functionalized and functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been studied by potentiometric measurements based on the use of ion-selective electrodes. The goal of this work was to investigate the role of the CNTs’ charge and [...] Read more.

The interaction (adsorption process) of commercial ionic surfactants with non-functionalized and functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been studied by potentiometric measurements based on the use of ion-selective electrodes. The goal of this work was to investigate the role of the CNTs’ charge and structure in the CNT/surfactant interactions. Non-functionalized single- (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and amine functionalized SWCNT were used. The influence of the surfactant architecture on the CNT/surfactant interactions was also studied. Surfactants with different charge and hydrophobic tail length (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), octyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (OTAB), dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (DoTAB) and hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)) were studied. According to the results, the adsorption process shows a cooperative character, with the hydrophobic interaction contribution playing a key role. This is made evident by the correlation between the free surfactant concentration (at a fixed [CNT]) and the critical micellar concentration, cmc, found for all the CNTs and surfactants investigated. The electrostatic interactions mainly determine the CNT dispersion, although hydrophobic interactions also contribute to this process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 2177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design of Polymeric and Biocompatible Delivery Systems by Dissolving Mesoporous Silica Templates

by Ana Rodríguez-Ramos, Laura Marín-Caba, Nerea Iturrioz-Rodríguez, Esperanza Padín-González, Lorena García-Hevia, Teresa Mêna Oliveira, Miguel A. Corea-Duarte and Mónica L. Fanarraga

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(24), 9573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21249573 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2763

Abstract

There are many nanoencapsulation systems available today. Among all these, mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) have received great attention in the last few years. Their large surface-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility, and versatility allow the encapsulation of a wide variety of drugs inside their pores. However, [...] Read more.

There are many nanoencapsulation systems available today. Among all these, mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) have received great attention in the last few years. Their large surface-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility, and versatility allow the encapsulation of a wide variety of drugs inside their pores. However, their chemical instability in biological fluids is a handicap to program the precise release of the therapeutic compounds. Taking advantage of the dissolving capacity of silica, in this study, we generate hollow capsules using MSPs as transitory sacrificial templates. We show how, upon MSP coating with different polyelectrolytes or proteins, fully customized hollow shells can be produced. These capsules are biocompatible, flexible, and biodegradable, and can be decorated with nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes to endow the systems with supplementary intrinsic properties. We also fill the capsules with a fluorescent dye to demonstrate intracellular compound release. Finally, we document how fluorescent polymeric capsules are engulfed by cells, releasing their encapsulated agent during the first 96 h. In summary, here, we describe how to assemble a highly versatile encapsulation structure based on silica mesoporous cores that are completely removed from the final polymeric capsule system. These drug encapsulation systems are highly customizable and have great versatility as they can be made using silica cores of different sizes and multiple coatings. This provides capsules with unique programmable attributes that are fully customizable according to the specific needs of each disease or target tissue for the development of nanocarriers in personalized medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Porous Microparticles Based on a Single Organosilica Cyclophosphazene Precursor

by Vanessa Poscher, George S. Pappas, Oliver Brüggemann, Ian Teasdale and Yolanda Salinas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(22), 8552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228552 - 13 Nov 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2036

Abstract

Porous organosilica microparticles consisting of silane-derived cyclophosphazene bridges were synthesized by a surfactant-mediated sol-gel process. Starting from the substitution of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with allylamine, two different precursors were obtained by anchoring three or six alkoxysilane units, via a thiol-ene photoaddition reaction. In both cases, [...] Read more.

Porous organosilica microparticles consisting of silane-derived cyclophosphazene bridges were synthesized by a surfactant-mediated sol-gel process. Starting from the substitution of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with allylamine, two different precursors were obtained by anchoring three or six alkoxysilane units, via a thiol-ene photoaddition reaction. In both cases, spherical, microparticles (size average of ca. 1000 nm) with large pores were obtained, confirmed by both, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Particles synthesized using the partially functionalized precursor containing free vinyl groups were further functionalized with a thiol-containing molecule. While most other reported mesoporous organosilica particles are essentially hybrids with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), a unique feature of these particles is that structural control is achieved by exclusively using organosilane precursors. This allows an increase in the proportion of the co-components and could springboard these novel phosphorus-containing organosilica microparticles for different areas of technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 3972 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Immunological Approach to the Biocompatibility of Mesoporous SiO₂-CaO Nanospheres

by María Montes-Casado, Adrian Sanvicente, Laura Casarrubios, María José Feito, José M. Rojo, María Vallet-Regí, Daniel Arcos, Pilar Portolés and María Teresa Portolés

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(21), 8291; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21218291 - 05 Nov 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3155

Abstract

Mesoporous bioactive glass nanospheres (NanoMBGs) have high potential for clinical applications. However, the impact of these nanoparticles on the immune system needs to be addressed. In this study, the biocompatibility of SiO₂-CaO NanoMBGs was evaluated on different mouse immune cells, including [...] Read more.

Mesoporous bioactive glass nanospheres (NanoMBGs) have high potential for clinical applications. However, the impact of these nanoparticles on the immune system needs to be addressed. In this study, the biocompatibility of SiO₂-CaO NanoMBGs was evaluated on different mouse immune cells, including spleen cells subsets, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), or cell lines like SR.D10 Th2 CD4⁺ lymphocytes and DC2.4 dendritic cells. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy show that the nanoparticles were rapidly and efficiently taken up in vitro by T and B lymphocytes or by specialized antigen-presenting cells (APCs) like dendritic cells (DCs). Nanoparticles were not cytotoxic and had no effect on cell viability or proliferation under T-cell (anti-CD3) or B cell (LPS) stimuli. Besides, NanoMBGs did not affect the balance of spleen cell subsets, or the production of intracellular or secreted pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10) by activated T, B, and dendritic cells (DC), as determined by flow cytometry and ELISA. T cell activation surface markers (CD25, CD69 and Induced Costimulator, ICOS) were not altered by NanoMBGs. Maturation of BMDCs or DC2.4 cells in vitro was not altered by NanoMBGs, as shown by expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86), or IL-6 secretion. The effect of wortmannin and chlorpromazine indicate a role for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), actin and clathrin-dependent pathways in NanoMBG internalization. We thus demonstrate that these NanoMBGs are both non-toxic and non-inflammagenic for murine lymphoid cells and myeloid DCs despite their efficient intake by the cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 5209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of MCM-41 Nanoparticles with Control of Particle Size and Structural Properties: Optimizing Operational Conditions during Scale-Up

by Rafael R. Castillo, Lorena de la Torre, Félix García-Ochoa, Miguel Ladero and María Vallet-Regí

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(21), 7899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21217899 - 24 Oct 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5336

Abstract

The synthesis of Mobil Composition of Matter 41 (MCM-41) mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of controlled sizes and porous structure has been performed at laboratory and pilot plant scales. Firstly, the effects of the main operating conditions (TEOS –Tetraethyl ortosilicate– addition rate, nanoparticle maturation [...] Read more.

The synthesis of Mobil Composition of Matter 41 (MCM-41) mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of controlled sizes and porous structure has been performed at laboratory and pilot plant scales. Firstly, the effects of the main operating conditions (TEOS –Tetraethyl ortosilicate– addition rate, nanoparticle maturation time, temperature, and CTAB –Cetrimonium bromide– concentration) on the synthesis at laboratory scale (1 L round-bottom flask) were studied via a Taguchi experimental design. Subsequently, a profound one-by-one study of operating conditions was permitted to upscale the process without significant particle enlargement and pore deformation. To achieve this, the temperature was set to 60 °C and the CTAB to TEOS molar ratio to 8. The final runs were performed at pilot plant scale (5 L cylindrical reactor with temperature and stirring speed control) to analyze stirring speed, type of impeller, TEOS addition rate, and nanoparticle maturation time effects, confirming results at laboratory scale. Despite slight variations on the morphology of the nanoparticles, this methodology provided MSNs with adequate sizes and porosities for biomedical applications, regardless of the reactor/scale. The process was shown to be robust and reproducible using mild synthesis conditions (2 mL⋅min⁻¹ TEOS addition rate, 400 rpm stirred by a Rushton turbine, 60 min maturation time, 60 °C, 2 g⋅L⁻¹ CTAB, molar ratio TEOS/CTAB = 8), providing ca. 13 g of prismatic short mesoporous 100–200 nm nanorods with non-connected 3 nm parallel mesopores. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

22 pages, 4504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mesocellular Silica Foams (MCFs) with Tunable Pore Size as a Support for Lysozyme Immobilization: Adsorption Equilibrium and Kinetics, Biocomposite Properties

by Agnieszka Chrzanowska, Anna Derylo-Marczewska and Malgorzata Wasilewska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(15), 5479; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21155479 - 31 Jul 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2976

Abstract

The effect of the porous structure of mesocellular silica foams (MCFs) on the lysozyme (LYS) adsorption capacity, as well as the rate, was studied to design the effective sorbent for potential applications as the carriers of biomolecules. The structural (N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms), [...] Read more.

The effect of the porous structure of mesocellular silica foams (MCFs) on the lysozyme (LYS) adsorption capacity, as well as the rate, was studied to design the effective sorbent for potential applications as the carriers of biomolecules. The structural (N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms), textural (SEM, TEM), acid-base (potentiometric titration), adsorption properties, and thermal characteristics of the obtained lysozyme/silica composites were studied. The protein adsorption equilibrium and kinetics showed significant dependence on silica pore size. For instance, LYS adsorption uptake on MCF-6.4 support (pore diameter 6.4 nm) was about 0.29 g/g. The equilibrium loading amount of LYS on MCF-14.5 material (pore size 14.5 nm) increased to 0.55 g/g. However, when the pore diameter was larger than 14.5 nm, the LYS adsorption value systematically decreased with increasing pore size (e.g., for MCF-30.1 was only 0.27 g/g). The electrostatic attractive interactions between the positively charged lysozyme (at pH = 7.4) and the negatively charged silica played a significant role in the immobilization process. The differences in protein adsorption and surface morphology for the biocomposites of various pore sizes were found. The thermal behavior of the studied bio/systems was conducted by TG/DSC/FTIR/MS coupled method. It was found that the thermal degradation of lysozyme/silica composites was a double-stage process in the temperature range 165–420–830 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 2581 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Targeting Subcellular Organelles

by Miguel Gisbert-Garzarán, Daniel Lozano and María Vallet-Regí

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(24), 9696; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21249696 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4211

Abstract

Current chemotherapy treatments lack great selectivity towards tumoral cells, which leads to nonspecific drug distribution and subsequent side effects. In this regard, the use of nanoparticles able to encapsulate and release therapeutic agents has attracted growing attention. In this sense, mesoporous silica nanoparticles [...] Read more.

Current chemotherapy treatments lack great selectivity towards tumoral cells, which leads to nonspecific drug distribution and subsequent side effects. In this regard, the use of nanoparticles able to encapsulate and release therapeutic agents has attracted growing attention. In this sense, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been widely employed as drug carriers owing to their exquisite physico-chemical properties. Because MSNs present a surface full of silanol groups, they can be easily functionalized to endow the nanoparticles with many different functionalities, including the introduction of moieties with affinity for the cell membrane or relevant compartments within the cell, thus increasing the efficacy of the treatments. This review manuscript will provide the state-of-the-art on MSNs functionalized for targeting subcellular compartments, focusing on the cytoplasm, the mitochondria, and the nucleus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

38 pages, 15348 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanostructured Silica with Anchoring Units: The 2D Solid Solvent for Molecules and Metal Ions

by Magdalena Laskowska, Oleksandr Pastukh, Andrii Fedorchuk, Mateusz Schabikowski, Paweł Kowalczyk, Marcin Zalasiński and Łukasz Laskowski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(21), 8137; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21218137 - 30 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3781

Abstract

The ability to organize, separate and manipulate individual molecules and ions on a surface opens up almost unlimited opportunities. However, it often requires complex techniques and a proper support material. With this in mind, we show a new concept of 2D solid solvents [...] Read more.

The ability to organize, separate and manipulate individual molecules and ions on a surface opens up almost unlimited opportunities. However, it often requires complex techniques and a proper support material. With this in mind, we show a new concept of 2D solid solvents and review a simple and efficient procedure which is based on nanostructured forms of silica with anchoring units. We describe silica supports, such as spherical nanoparticles and mesoporous silica structures, as well as review the methods for chemical modification of the surface of silica with the functional groups. Finally, we present a few particular examples of the immobilization of molecules and ions on the surface of 2D solid solvents along with the experimental investigation of the obtained materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ordered Mesoporous Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Ordered Mesoporous Materials

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (14 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI