Sol-gel glass as a matrix for chemical and biochemical sensing

Atrazine Degradation Using Immobilized Triazine Hydrolase from Arthrobacter aurescens TC1 in Mesoporous Silica Nanomaterials

Triazine hydrolase fromArthrobacter aurescens TC1 (TrzN) was successfully immobilized on mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSNs) for the first time. For both nonfunctionalized MSNs and MSNs functionalized with Zn(II), three pore sizes were evaluated for their ability to immobilize wild-type TrzN: Mobile composition of matter no. 41 (small, 3 nm pores), mesoporous silica nanoparticle material with 10 nm pore diameter (MSN-10) (medium, 6-12 nm pores), and pore-expanded MSN-10 (large, 15-30 nm pores). Of these six TrzN:MSN biomaterials, it was shown that TrzN:MSN-10 was the most active (3.8 ± 0.4 × 10-5 U/mg) toward the hydrolysis of a 50 μM atrazine solution at 25 °C. The TrzN:MSN-10 biomaterial was then coated in chitosan (TrzN:MSN-10:Chit) as chitosan has been shown to increase stability in extreme conditions such as low/high pH, heat shock, and the presence of organic solvents. TrzN:MSN-10:Chit was shown to be a superior TrzN biomaterial to TrzN:MSN-10 as it exhibited higher activity under all storage conditions, in the presence of 20% MeOH, at low and high pH values, and at elevated temperatures up to 80 °C. Finally, the TrzN:MSN-10:Chit biomaterial was shown to be fully active in river water, which establishes it as a functional biomaterial under actual field conditions. A combination of these data indicate that the TrzN:MSN-10:Chit biomaterial exhibited the best overall catalytic profile making it a promising biocatalyst for the bioremediation of atrazine.

Effects of NiO, SnO2, and Ni-doped SnO2 semiconductor metal oxides on the oxygen sensing capacity of H2TPP

Improving the performance of optical oxygen sensors can be accomplished by adding metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) additives to the composition comprising an oxygen-sensing agent immobilized in a polymeric thin film. For several decades, MOSs have attracted great interest in gas sensors due to their high sensitivity to many target gasses. Herein, meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂TPP) dye was immobilized into the poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (poly(TMSP)) silicone rubber in the presence of NiO, SnO₂, Ni:SnO₂ metal oxide particles as additives, and their thin films were prepared to investigate oxygen-sensitive optical chemical sensor properties. The characterizations of the synthesized metal oxide powders were carried out through XPS, XRD, FT-IR, PL spectroscopy and SEM methods. Intensity-based spectra and decay kinetics of H₂TPP-based thin films were investigated for the concentration range of 0%-100% [O₂]. The oxygen sensitivity (I₀/I₁₀₀) of the porphyrin was calculated as 70%. Whereas the relative signal intensity values of H₂TPP-based sensor slides were measured as 75%, 80%, and 88% in the presence of NiO, SnO₂, Ni:SnO₂ additives, respectively. The H₂TPP in combination with Ni:SnO₂ semiconductor provided a higher I₀/I₁₀₀ value, larger response range, higher Stern-Volmer constant (K_SV) value, and faster response time compared to the undoped form, and also NiO and SnO₂ additive-doped forms of H₂TPP. The response and the recovery times of the porphyrin-based sensing slide along with Ni:SnO₂ additives have been measured as 12 and 50 s. These results make the H₂TPP along with the MOSs promising candidates as oxygen probes.

Strongly Improving the Sensitivity of Phosphorescence-Based Optical Oxygen Sensors by Exploiting Nano-Porous Substrates

Sensitivity is one of the crucial factors in determining the quality of a fluorescence/phosphorescence-based gas sensor, and is estimated from the measurement of responses (I₀/I, where I₀ and I refer to the measured optical intensity of a sensor in absence and presence of analyte molecules) at various concentrations of analytes. In this work, we demonstrate phosphorescence-based optical oxygen sensors fabricated on highly porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes showing dramatically high response. These sensors exploit the enormous surface area of the AAO to facilitate the effective interaction between the sensing molecules and the analytes. We spin-coat an AAO membrane (200 nm pore diameter) with a platinum-based oxygen sensing porphyrin dye, platinum(II) meso-tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin (PtTFPP), to fabricate a sensor exhibiting I₀/I ~400 at 100% oxygen atmosphere. To address the generality of the AAO membrane, we fabricate a separate sensor with another porphyrin dye, platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP), which exhibits an even higher I₀/I of ~500. Both of these sensors offer the highest responses as an optical oxygen sensor hitherto reported. SEM and EDS analysis are performed to realize the effect of the increased surface area of the AAO membrane on the enhanced sensitivity.

Biocides and techniques for their encapsulation: a review

Biocides are compounds that are broadly used to protect products and equipment against microbiological damage. Encapsulation can effectively increase physicochemical stability and allow for controlled release of encapsulated biocides. We categorized microencapsulation into coacervation, sol-gel, and self-assembly methods. The former comprises internal phase separation, interfacial polymerization, and multiple emulsions, and the latter include polymersomes and layer-by-layer techniques. The focus of this review is the description of these categories based on their microencapsulation methods and mechanisms. We discuss the key features and potential applications of each method according to the characteristics of the biocide to be encapsulated, relating the solubility of biocides to the capsule-forming materials, the reactivity between them and the desired release rate. The role of encapsulation in the safety and toxicity of biocide applications is also discussed. Furthermore, future perspectives for biocide applications and encapsulation techniques are presented.

Sol-gel-entrapped pH indicator for monitoring pH variations in cementitious materials

Sensors for pH evaluation of concrete were made by a sol-gel process with alizarin yellow as pH indicator. The optical absorbance was measured with a visible spectrophotometer coupled with optical fibers. Results showed that the sensors had good reversibility, reproducibility, and fast response time.

From the Titanic and other shipwrecks to biofilm prevention: The interesting role of polyphenol-protein complexes in biofilm inhibition

Bacteria attach themselves either reversibly or irreversibly onto practically any surface in aqueous and other environments in order to reproduce, while generating extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as a supportive structure for biofilm formation. Surfaces with a potential to prevent cellular attachment and aggregation (biofilm) would be extremely useful in environmental, biotechnological, medical and industrial applications. The scientific community is currently focusing on the design of micro- and nano-scale textured surfaces with antibacterial and/or antifouling properties (e.g., filtration membranes). Several serum and tissue proteins promote bacterial adhesion (for example, albumin, fibronectin and fibrinogen), whereas polyphenols form complexes with proteins which change their structural, functional and nutritional properties. For example, tannic acid, a compound composed of polygalloyl glucoses or polygalloyl quinic acid esters and several galloyl moieties, inhibits the growth of many bacterial strains. The present review is based on different nautical archaeology research data, and asks a simple but as yet unanswered question: What is the chemistry that prevents leather biodegradation by environmental bacteria and/or formation of biofilms? Future research should answer these questions, which are highly important for biofilm prevention.

Nanoparticle- and microparticle-based luminescence imaging of chemical species and temperature in aquatic systems: a review

Most aquatic systems rely on a multitude of biogeochemical processes that are coupled with each other in a complex and dynamic manner. To understand such processes, minimally invasive analytical tools are required that allow continuous, real-time measurements of individual reactions in these complex systems. Optical chemical sensors can be used in the form of fiber-optic sensors, planar sensors, or as micro- and nanoparticles (MPs and NPs). All have their specific merits, but only the latter allow for visualization and quantification of chemical gradients over 3D structures. This review (with 147 references) summarizes recent developments mainly in the field of optical NP sensors relevant for chemical imaging in aquatic science. The review encompasses methods for signal read-out and imaging, preparation of NPs and MPs, and an overview of relevant MP/NP-based sensors. Additionally, examples of MP/NP-based sensors in aquatic systems such as corals, plant tissue, biofilms, sediments and water-sediment interfaces, marine snow and in 3D bioprinting are given. We also address current challenges and future perspectives of NP-based sensing in aquatic systems in a concluding section. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Artificial inorganic biohybrids: The functional combination of microorganisms and cells with inorganic materials

Biohybrids can be defined as the functional combination of proteins, viable cells or microorganisms with non-biological materials. This article reviews recent findings on the encapsulation of microorganisms and eukaryotic cells in inorganic matrices such as silica gels or cements. The entrapment of biological entities into a support material is of great benefit for processing since the encapsulation matrix protects sensitive cells from shear forces, unfavourable pH changes, or cytotoxic solvents, avoids culture-washout, and simplifies the separation of formed products. After reflecting general aspects of such an immobilization as well as the chemistry of the inorganic matrices, we focused on manufacturing aspects and the application of such biohybrids in biotechnology, medicine as well as in environmental science and for civil engineering purpose.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The encapsulation of living cells and microorganisms became an intensively studied and rapidly expanding research field with manifold applications in medicine, bio- and environmental technology, or civil engineering. Here, the use of silica or cements as encapsulation matrices have the advantage of a higher chemical and mechanical resistance towards harsh environmental conditions during processing compared to their polymeric counterparts. In this perspective, the article gives an overview about the inorganic material systems used for cell encapsulation, followed by reviewing the most important applications. The future may lay in a combination of the currently achieved biohybrid systems with additive manufacturing techniques. In a longer perspective, this would enable the direct printing of cell loaded bioreactor components.

Local pH Monitoring of Small Cluster of Cells using a Fiber-Optic Dual-Core Micro-Probe

Biological studies of tissues and cells have enabled numerous discoveries, but these studies still bear potential risks of invalidation because of cell heterogeneity. Through high-accuracy techniques, recent studies have demonstrated that discrepancies do exist between the results from low-number-cell studies and cell-population-based results. Thus the urgent need to re-evaluate key principles on limited number of cells has been provoked. In this study, a novel designed dual-core fiber-optic pH micro-probe was fabricated and demonstrated for niche environment pH sensing with high spatial resolution. An organic-modified silicate (OrMoSils) sol-gel thin layer was functionalized by entrapping a pH indicator, 2', 7'-Bis (2-carbonylethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), on a ~70 μm sized probe tip. Good linear correlation between fluorescence ratio of I560 nm/I640 nm and intercellular pH values was obtained within a biological-relevant pH range from 6.20 to 7.92 (R2 = 0.9834), and with a pH resolution of 0.035 ± 0.005 pH units. The probe's horizontal spatial resolution was demonstrated to be less than 2mm. Moreover, the probe was evaluated by measuring the localized extracellular pH changes of cultured human lung cancer cells (A549) when exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). Results showed that the probe has superior capability for fast, local, and continual monitoring of a small cluster of cells, which provides researchers a fast and accurate technique to conduct local pH measurements for cell heterogeneity-related studies.

Human P450 Microarrays for In Vitro Toxicity Analysis: Toward Complete Automation of Human Toxicology Screening

The development of a tool that can provide early-stage predictive toxicology data may accelerate the identification of safer drug candidates, and thereby improve the clinical progression of drug candidates to pharmaceuticals. Such a system would require an accurate and reliable technique that is amenable to the large number of drug candidates that must be screened in the lead discovery and optimization stages of drug development. A key component of predictive toxicology is the ability to harness the metabolite-generating capacity of human cytochromes P450, which are involved in first-pass drug metabolism function of the liver. We have miniaturized P450 catalysis into a microarray format consisting of up to 11,200 isolated P450 reactions, each in 5 nL sol-gel spots, on a single functionalized glass microscope-size biochip. This dramatic scale down from more conventional 96 and 384-well plate scales (at least a 1000-fold reduction in volume) did not adversely affect P450 catalytic activity. Based on the functionality of the P450-containing microarray, we developed the metabolizing enzyme toxicology assay Chip (MetaChip), which combines high-throughput P450 catalysis with cell-based screening on a microscale platform. Proof of concept was demonstrated using anticancer prodrugs cyclophosphamide and Tegafur, as well as the analgesic acetaminophen. The MetaChip may provide a high-throughput microscale alternative to currently used in vitro methods for human metabolism and toxicology screening.

Electrochemical enzyme-less urea sensor based on nano-tin oxide synthesized by hydrothermal technique

Nano-Tin oxide was synthesized using hydrothermal method at 150 °C for 6 h and then thin films were deposited by electrophoretic method at an optimized voltage of 100 V for 5 min on electropolished aluminum substrate. Spherical particles of about 30-50 nm diameters are observed with partial agglomeration when observed under electron microscope, which are tetragonal rutile structure. XPS results showed peaks related to Sn 4d, Sn 3d, O 1s & C 1s with spin-orbit splitting of 8.4 eV for Sn 3d. Feasibility studies of enzyme less urea sensing characteristics of nano-tin oxide thin films are exhibited herein. The deposited films have been used for enzyme less urea sensing from 1 to 20 mM concentration in buffer solution. The sensors were characterized electrochemically to obtain cyclic voltammogram as a function of urea concentration and scan rate. The sensitivity is estimated as 18.9 μA/mM below 5 mM and 2.31 μA/mM above 5 mM with a limit of detection of 0.6 mM.

Morphology and kinetic modeling of molecularly imprinted organosilanol polymer matrix for specific uptake of creatinine

Molecular imprinting is an emerging technique to create imprinted polymers that can be applied in affinity-based separation, in particular, biomimetic sensors. In this study, the matrix of siloxane bonds prepared from the polycondensation of hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was employed as the inorganic monomer for the formation of a creatinine (Cre)-based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). Doped aluminium ion (Al(3+)) was used as the functional cross-linker that generated Lewis acid sites in the confined silica matrix to interact with Cre via sharing of lone pair electrons. Surface morphologies and pore characteristics of the synthesized MIP were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) analyses, respectively. The imprinting efficiency of MIPs was then evaluated through the adsorption of Cre with regard to molar ratios of Al(3+). A Cre adsorption capacity of up to 17.40 mg Cre g(-1) MIP was obtained and adsorption selectivity of Cre to its analogues creatine (Cr) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (N-hyd) were found to be 3.90 ± 0.61 and 4.17 ± 3.09, respectively. Of all the studied MIP systems, chemisorption was predicted as the rate-limiting step in the binding of Cre. The pseudo-second-order chemical reaction kinetic provides the best correlation of the experimental data. Furthermore, the equilibrium adsorption capacity of MIP fit well with a Freundlich isotherm (R (2) = 0.98) in which the heterogeneous surface was defined.

Fluorescein dye intercalated layered double hydroxides for chemically stabilized photoluminescent indicators on inorganic surfaces

A new photoactive thin film of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocrystals containing fluorescein dyes (LDH-F) has been developed by self-assembly of the LDH nanocrystals and well-controlled intercalation of the dyes in organic media. XRD results and absorption spectra confirmed the highly oriented interlayer arrangement of the dianionic form of the fluorescein dyes in the LDH interlayers, in which the dye molecules were electrostatically immobilized between the positively charged LDH layers with a monolayer packing structure. An intensity weighted average PL lifetime was estimated to be 1.45 ns and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy revealed that the individual LDH nanocrystals on the LDH-F film had largely similar lifetimes, which were ascribed to the uniform loading of fluorescein dyes onto the LDH matrix without photoluminescence quenching.

Regulation of responsiveness of phosphorescence toward dissolved oxygen concentration by modulating polymer contents in organic-inorganic hybrid materials

Platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP)-loaded organic-inorganic hybrids were obtained via the microwave-assisted sol-gel condensation with methyltrimethoxysilane and poly(vinylpyrrolidone). From transparent and homogeneous hybrid films, the strong phosphorescence from PtOEP was observed. Next, the resulting hybrids were immersed in the aqueous buffer, and the emission intensity was monitored by changing the dissolved oxygen level in the buffer. When the hybrid with relatively-higher amount of the silica element, the strong phosphorescence was observed even under the aerobic conditions. In contrast, the emission from the hybrids with lower amounts of the silica element was quenched under the hypoxic conditions. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first example to demonstrate that the responsiveness of the phosphorescence intensity of PtOEP in hybrid films to the dissolved oxygen concentration in water can be modulated by changing the percentage of the contents in the material.

Common causes of glucose oxidase instability in in vivo biosensing: a brief review

Clinical management of diabetes must overcome the challenge of in vivo glucose sensors exhibiting lifetimes of only a few days. Limited sensor life originates from compromised enzyme stability of the sensing enzyme. Sensing enzymes degrade in the presence of low molecular weight materials (LMWM) and hydrogen peroxide in vivo. Sensing enzymes could be made to withstand these degradative effects by (1) stabilizing the microenvironment surrounding the sensing enzyme or (2) improving the structural stability of the sensing enzyme genetically. We review the degradative effect of LMWM and hydrogen peroxide on the sensing enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx). In addition, we examine advances in stabilizing GOx against degradation using hybrid silica gels and genetic engineering of GOx. We conclude molecularly engineered GOx combined with silica-based encapsulation provides an avenue for designing long-term in vivo sensor systems.

Sol-gel Approaches for Elaboration of Polyol Dehydrogenase-Based Bioelectrodes

This review describes the input of sol-gel chemistry to the immobilization of polyol dehydrogenases on electrodes, for applications in bioelectrocatalysis. The polyol dehydrogenases are described and their application for biosensing, biofuel cell and electrosynthesis are briefly discussed. The immobilization of proteins via sol-gel approaches is described, including a discussion on the difficulty to maintain the activity of proteins in a silica matrix and the strategies developed to offer a proper environment to the proteins by developing optimal organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Finally, the co-immobilization of the NAD + co-factor and of mediators for the elaboration of reagentless devices is presented, based on published and original data. All-in-all, sol-gel approaches appear to be a very promising for development of original electrochemical applications involving dehydrogenases in near future.

Synthesis and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Sol-Gel Film for Simultaneous Determination of Multi-Component Pesticide Residue

In this paper, three kinds of molecularly imprinted sol-gel film (MISF) which have good thermal and chemical stability and three-dimensional network porous structure have been developed. The material was synthesized by sol-gel technology using lambda-cyhalothrin, trichlorphon and beta-cyfluthrin as model analytes. The special structural behavior makes the material have good capability to seizure and capture template molecules which enhanced the MISF’s recognition efficiency and the property of separation and enrichment. The material was environmental friendly and easy to operate. The binding characteristic of the imprinted film to the three pesticides was evaluated by equilibrium binding experiments. The SEM of the three MISF has been performed to characterize the morphology of MISF. The MISFs were combined with chemiluminescence (CL) technology by modifying the sol-gel into 96 micro-well plate to establish one molecular imprinting- chemiluminescence (MI-CL) sensor which realized high selectivity, sensitivity and high throughput simultaneous assay of three pesticides. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of multi-component pesticide residue in foodstuff.

Synthesis of Sol-Gel Matrices for Encapsulation of Enzymes Using an Aqueous Route

Sol-gel matrices are promising host materials for potential chemical and biosensor applications. Previous studies have focused on modified sol-gel routes using alkoxides for encapsulation of enzymes. However the formation of alcohol as a byproduct during hydrolysis and condensation reactions poses limitations. We report the immobilization of glucose oxidase and peroxidase in silica prepared by an aqueous route which may provide a more favorable environment for the biomolecules. A two step aqueous sol-gel procedure using sodium silicate as the precursor was developed to encapsulate the enzymes and the dye precursor, o-dianisidine. Glucose oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of glucose to give gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Peroxidase then catalyzes the reaction of the dye precursor with hydrogen peroxide to produce a colored product. The kinetics of the coupled enzymatic reactions were monitored by optical spectroscopy and compared to those occurring in tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) derived silica matrices developed by Yamanaka et al. [1]. Enhanced kinetics in the aqueous silicate matrices were related to differences in the host microstructures as elucidated by microstructural comparisons of the corresponding aerogels.

Ratiometric fluorescence-based dissolved carbon dioxide sensor for use in environmental monitoring applications

The focus of this work is on the development and characterisation of a fluorescence-based ratiometric sol-gel-derived dissolved carbon dioxide (dCO(2)) sensor for use in environmental monitoring applications. Fluorescence-based dCO(2) sensors are attractive as they facilitate the development of portable and low-cost systems that can be easily deployed outside the laboratory environment. The sensor developed for this work exploits a pH fluorescent dye 1-hydroxypyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid, ion-paired with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (HPTS-IP), which has been entrapped in a hybrid sol-gel-based matrix derived from n-propyltriethoxysilane along with the liphophilic organic base. The sensor spot deposited on a cover slip has been interrogated with a robust, ratiometric optical probe that combines effective fluorescence excitation and detection and thus facilitates the production of a highly sensitive sensor system using low-cost optoelectronic components. The probe design involves the use of dual-LED excitation in order to facilitate ratiometric operation and uses a silicon PIN photodiode. HPTS-IP exhibits two pH-dependent changes in excitation bands, which allows for dual excitation ratiometric detection as an indirect measure of the dCO(2). Such measurements are insensitive to changes in dye concentration, leaching and photobleaching of the fluorophore and instrument fluctuations unlike unreferenced fluorescence intensity measurements. The performance of the sensor system is characterised by a high degree of repeatability, reversibility and stability. Calculated limit of detection for the sensor was 35 ppb. The sensor probe was used to monitor dCO(2) levels in a laboratory-based aquatic habitat, and the expected diurnal pattern was clearly visible. The influence of temperature, biofouling and photobleaching on sensor performance has been also investigated.

Microfluidic dissolved oxygen gradient generator biochip as a useful tool in bacterial biofilm studies

A microfluidic chip for generation of gradients of dissolved oxygen was designed, fabricated and tested. The novel way of active oxygen depletion through a gas permeable membrane was applied. Numerical simulations for generation of O(2) gradients were correlated with measured oxygen concentrations. The developed microsystem was used to study growth patterns of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa in medium with different oxygen concentrations. The results showed that attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the substrate changed with oxygen concentration. This demonstrates that the device can be used for studies requiring controlled oxygen levels and for future studies of microaerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Optical fiber sensor for Hg(II) based on carbon dots

An optical fiber sensor for Hg(II) in aqueous solution based on sol-gel immobilized carbon dots nanoparticles functionalized with PEG(200) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine is described. This sol-gel method generated a thin (about 750 nm), homogenous and smooth (roughness of 2.7±0.7 Å) film that immobilizes the carbon dots and allows reversible sensing of Hg(II) in aqueous solution. A fast (less than 10 s), reversible and stable (the fluorescence intensity measurements oscillate less than 1% after several calibration cycles) sensor system was obtained. The sensor allow the detection of submicron molar concentrations of Hg(II) in aqueous solution. The fluorescence intensity of the immobilized carbon dots is quenched by the presence of Hg(II) with a Stern-Volmer constant (pH=6.8) of 5.3×10(5) M(-1).

A review of photocatalysts prepared by sol-gel method for VOCs removal

The sol-gel process is a wet-chemical technique (chemical solution deposition), which has been widely used in the fields of materials science, ceramic engineering, and especially in the preparation of photocatalysts. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are prevalent components of indoor air pollution. Among the approaches to remove VOCs from indoor air, photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is regarded as a promising method. This paper is a review of the status of research on the sol-gel method for photocatalyst preparation and for the PCO purification of VOCs. The review and discussion will focus on the preparation and coating of various photocatalysts, operational parameters, and will provide an overview of general PCO models described in the literature.

Modulation of the ESIPT emission of benzothiazole type dye incorporated in silica-based hybrid materials

A set of silica-based hybrid material samples was obtained, with different molar fractions of tetraethylorthosilicate and dimethyldimethoxysilane, as inorganic and organic sol-gel precursors, respectively. The hybrid material was used as a matrix to disperse the 2-(4'-amino-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole, a fluorophore with large Stokes shift caused by an excited state intramolecular proton transfer phenomena (ESIPT). UV-vis and steady-state fluorescence in the solid state were applied in order to characterize the photophysical behavior of the dye. The set of samples was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and N(2) isotherms. The fluorescent pyrene dye was used as a probe for local polarity environment. For the first time, a modulation in the ESIPT fluorescence emission was achieved, being correlated to the methyl organic content of the hybrid matrix. The equilibrium between the conformers in the ground state is affected by changes in the matrix hydrophobicity. The replacement of silanol groups by methyl groups on matrix surface decreases the hydrogen bond capacity with the dye stabilizing the ESIPT conformer, in spite of the normal conformers, which will present a short wavelength emission band.

Silica-Polyethylene Glycol Matrix Synthesis by Sol-Gel Method and Evaluation for Diclofenac Diethyloammonium Release

Modified silica-polyethylene glycol xerogels were prepared by the sol-gel method to explore the possibilities of using these polymers as drug delivery systems. The synthesis was performed at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor, low-molecular polyethylene-glycol (600) as a modifier, and acetic acid as a catalyst. The composition in a mole ratio of the initial sols corresponds to TEOS:H(2)O:EtOH:CH(3)COOH:PEG = 1:4:6:0.005:0.147. Diclofenac diethyloammonium was used as a model drug and encapsulated in predoping sol-gel process. After 5 days of gelation time of matrices at room temperature two different forms of xerogels were obtained: monolithic form of pellet and cracked, irregular-shaped of particles. The rate of release from the both forms of xerogels was controlled by the rate of diffusion of the drug through the pores. The dissolution testing for the loaded irregular-shaped xerogels showed an initial burst release followed by sustained release. The degradation of the PEG/silica xerogels followed a zero-order kinetics.