Synthesis of ordered mesoporous silica templated with biocompatible surfactants and applications in controlled release of drugs

A novel series of mesoporous silica materials has been developed by using non-ionic, biocompatible alkyl maltoside surfactants as organic structure directing agents and working under biomimetic conditions (e.g., room temperature and almost neutral pH) to avoid modifications of potential drugs occluded within. The obtained mesophases were tuned by changing the template and its concentration. These sugar surfactant–silica platforms were used as drug delivery carriers for ibuprofen, by encapsulating drug molecules within the hydrophobic core of the template micelles. The obtained surfactant-assisted delivery systems constitute a new approach towards controlled release of small therapeutic molecules.