Composites of Eu(3+)-doped calcium apatite nanoparticles and silica particles: comparative study of two preparation methods

We synthesized composites of Eu(3+)-doped calcium apatite (CaAp:Eu(3+)) nanoparticles and silica particles via two methods: (i) in situ synthesis of CaAp:Eu(3+) in the presence of silica particles and (ii) electrostatic adsorption of CaAp:Eu(3+) nanoparticles on silica particle surfaces. In both methods, submicrometer spherical silica particles were covered with CaAp:Eu(3+) nanoparticles without forming any impurity phases, as confirmed by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In method i, part of the silica surface acted as a nucleation site for apatite crystals and silica particles were inhomogeneously covered with CaAp:Eu(3+) nanoparticles. In method ii, positively charged CaAp:Eu(3+) nanoparticles were homogeneously adsorbed on the negatively charged silica surface through electrostatic interactions. The bonds between the silica surface and CaAp:Eu(3+) nanoparticles are strong enough not to break under ultrasonic irradiation, irrespective of the synthetic method used. The composite particles showed red photoluminescence corresponding to 4f → 4f transitions of Eu(3+) under near-UV irradiation. Although the absorption coefficient of the forbidden 4f → 4f transitions of Eu(3+) was small, the red emission was detectable with a commercial fluorescence microscope because the CaAp:Eu(3+) nanoparticles accumulated on the silica particle surfaces.

Elucidation of acid strength effect on ibuprofen adsorption and release by aluminated mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) with 1–10 wt% loading of aluminum (Al) were prepared and characterized by XRD, N₂ physisorption, ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al NMR, FT-IR and FT-IR preadsorbed pyridine.

Molecular and supramolecular switches on mesoporous silica nanoparticles

This review summarizes the recent advances of molecular and supramolecular switches installed on mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

Silica-based nanoparticles: a versatile tool for the development of efficient imaging agents

In this review a selection of the most recent examples of imaging techniques applied to silica-based NPs for imaging is reported.

Negative-charge-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles as drug vehicles targeting hepatocellular carcinoma

In this paper, a series of doxorubicin-loaded and negative-charge-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DOX-MSN/COOH) was successfully prepared and used for imaging and targeting therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. The nanoparticles were uniform and negatively charged, with a diameter of about 55 nm, and a zeta potential of -20 mV. In vitro study showed that the nanoparticles could easily be endocytosed by liver cancer cells (HepG2) and were well-accumulated in the liver by passive targeting. In vivo study proved the ability of DOX-MSN/COOH to inhibit the tumor growth and prolong the survival time of mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma in situ, giving better results than free DOX. More importantly, histological examination showed no histopathological abnormalities of normal liver cells and heart cells after the administration of DOX-MSN/COOH, while the treatment with free DOX caused damage to those cells. In conclusion, DOX-MSN/COOH exhibited enhanced antitumor efficacy as well as reduced side effects for liver cancer therapy.

Wrapping DNA-gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for quantitative monitoring of telomerase activity with glucometer readout

This work reports a simple and sensitive sensing protocol for the quantitative monitoring of telomerase activity based on target-responsive release of cargo from wrapping DNA-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) by coupling with a portable personal glucometer (PGM).

Effect of pretreatment and temperature on the properties of Pinnularia biosilica frustules

Material characteristics of cleaned diatom Pinnularia frustules are investigated and evaluated as adsorbents to remove methylene blue from aqueous solution.