Surface-initiated polymerization within mesoporous silica spheres for the modular design of charge-neutral polymer particles

Langmuir. 2014 Jun 3;30(21):6286-93. doi: 10.1021/la501324r. Epub 2014 May 16.

Abstract

We report a templating approach for the preparation of functional polymer replica particles via surface-initiated polymerization in mesoporous silica templates. Subsequent removal of the template resulted in discrete polymer particles. Furthermore, redox-responsive replica particles could be engineered to disassemble in a reducing environment. Particles, made of poly(methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) or poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (POEGMA), exhibited very low association to human cancer cells (below 5%), which renders the reported charge-neutral polymer particles a modular and versatile class of highly functional carriers with potential applications in drug delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drug Design
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Materials Testing
  • Methacrylates / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Particle Size
  • Phosphorylcholine / analogs & derivatives
  • Phosphorylcholine / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polymethacrylic Acids / chemistry
  • Porosity
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Methacrylates
  • Polymers
  • Polymethacrylic Acids
  • poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl-phosphorylcholine)
  • polyethylene glycol methacrylate
  • Water
  • Phosphorylcholine
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Silicon Dioxide