Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles – A Brief History, Synthesis and Biocompatibility
In the field of nanotechnology, a very recent development is the mesoporous kind of silica material. MCM-41 and SBA-15 are two of the most common form of meosporous nanomaterial. In the field of medicines, this latest nanoparticle is being used as a catalyst, in delivery carriers of drugs and in imaging or MRI scans.
A brief history of Mesoporous silica nanoparticles
It was during the year 1970; the process of patenting this kind of silica was undertaken. The matter was kept aside for years. It was once again in 1997 the material got noticed and experiments and researches began. In Japan, scientists independently synthesized mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Researchers have plans to use this nano particle as molecular sieves. In medicines, imaging, areas of biosensors and as materials for different storages this is used.
Out of the various applications of this material two of the most common are in delivery of drugs and in biosensors. Since the structure of the mesoporous silica has pores it allows filling it up with drugs or by cytotoxin. These particles are taken up in the cells using endocytosis. Some of the cells of cancers also take up healthy cells giving scientists hope that one day it can also be used in treating cancer.
Synthesizing techniques and biocompatibility of nano Mesoporous silica
In the past, the silica Mesoporous nano material or popularly scientifically termed as the MSNs have attracted a lot of attention due to its predicted applications in the field of biomedicals. As their surface area is highly tailored and have a mesoporous framework they are used quite frequently as carriers of drugs and medicines. Significant advantages are found for the mesoporous silica nanoparticles for various drug delivery mediums.
While going for a synthesis strategy for a MSN it is usually synthesized initially by the reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate along with a template which is created by micellar rods. By this reaction what we found is small nano sized rods or spheres which are seen as filled in the regular pores. By washing off with a properly adjusted solvent with a PH balance this template can then be removed.
There is one another technique of mesoporous silica nanoparticles synthesis. Here by using a sol-gel methodology silica can be synthesized. By using a spray drying technique the tetraethyl orthosilicate is also used along with the template or the polymer monomer.
Although the above techniques of synthesis are successful, they are not the most efficient one. A better precursor is using 3- Mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane or commonly termed as MPTMS.The usage of this material reduces the potential chances of accumulation and it makes sure that the spheres formed are of usual uniform nature. The amazing properties of this material make it a popular choice in the field of medicines, electro biosensors, pharmaceuticals, imaging and deliver of drugs.
Future potential uses are also predicted to be in the field of treatment of diseases like cancer. Nano technology has been giving us new products every now and then and we must do our best to utilise them for the good of mankind.