Mixed micelle-template route to mesoporous silica

Abstract

Mesoporous silica materials were prepared through a novel mixed micelle-template method which was employed by alkyl polyethylene oxide (C 16E 20) and C 2-ceramide. X-ray diffraction patterns clearly showed the formation of mesoporous silica by contribution of mixed micelle-template up to 3/1 weight ratio (C 16E 20/C 2-ceramide). TEM and N 2 adsorption isotherms analyses indicated that the mesoporous structure was maintained even after encased C 2-ceramides. However, when the weight ratio of C 16E 20/C 2-ceramide exceeds 2/2, less ordered and irregular pore structure was observed. According to the in-vitro experiment on cancer cells such as MCF-7, HOS, and HepG2, the simultaneously encapsulated C 2-ceramide shows apoptosis. Therefore, the present results could provide a new method for mesoporous material as drug delivery system. Copyright © 2007 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.