Co-templating Synthesis of Bimodal Mesoporous Silica for Potential Drug Carrier

Bimodal mesoporous silica is prepared by co-templating method using PEO-b-PLA diblock copolymer and F127 triblock copolymer. The pore size distribution of the mesoporous silica is bimodal, based on small angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms analyses, and can be divided into the larger pores, originating from PEO-b-PLA, and the smaller pores, originating from F127. In addition, we are able to ascertain that the F127 triblock copolymer not only produces the smaller pores, but also acts as a swelling agent in the formation of the larger pores. This novel bimodal mesoporous silica is further successfully employed as a drug-carrier for doxorubicin in ambient conditions.