Mesoporous silica coated CeF 3: Tb 3+ particles for drug release

Abstract

CeF 3 : Tb 3+ nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a polyol process usingdiethylene glycol (DEG) as solvent. After being coated with dense silica, these CeF 3 : Tb 3+ nanoparticles can be coated with mesoporous silica using nonionic triblockcopolymer EO 20 PO 70 EO 20 (P 123) as structure-directing agent. The composite can load ibuprofen and release the drug in the PBS. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen absorption/desorption isotherms, fluorescence spectra, and UV/Vis absorption spectra, respectively. The composite particles have considerable large pore volume and large surface area. In addition, the composite still emits strong green fluorescence ( Tb 3+) and can be used as fluorescent probes in drug delivery system.