Thermo-responsive hollow silica microgels with controlled drug release properties

Thermo-responsive hollow silica microgels (THSMGs) consisting of a hollow core, an intermediate silica supporting layer and a smart polymer gel corona were fabricated via organic–inorganic hybridization. Hollow silica particles and PNIPAAm microgels were successfully combined by utilizing the cross-linking reaction between 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TMSPMA) and silanol groups on the silica surface, and then the copolymerization of TMSPMA and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm). The morphology and chemical composition were systematically examined by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) measurement. The thermo-responsive phase transition behavior was investigated by the determination of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), and particle size measurement using dynamic light scattering. THSMGs remain porous even after the coverage of PNIPAAm gels, and also have obvious hydrophilic/hydrophobic transition property and good swelling/collapse capability in spite of the rigid silica layer. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation and Rhodamine B (RHB) release study demonstrated that THSMGs have good biocompatibility, and achieve a thermo-responsive controlled-release behavior. The prepared THSMGs show considerable potential for applications as targeted and ambient temperature responsive drug delivery system.