Preparation and properties of pH-responsive magnetic mesoporous silica drug carrier

A novel pH-responsive magnetic drug carrier system of Fe 3 O 4 /mSiO 2 /CMCS-PDMAEMA was prepared. Around the core of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 , the mesoporous silica was shelled. In contrast, the copolymer of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and Poly [2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) exerted a pH-responsive effect. The core of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 played the role of magnetic targeting. Fe 3 O 4 /mSiO 2 /CMCS-PDMAEMA particles were produced and characterized in terms of their structure, magnetic properties, drug adsorption, and release behavior. The diameter of the designed Fe 3 O 4 /mSiO 2 /CMCS-PDMAEMA particles was about 1.3 µm, and the saturation magnetization value was 18.41 emu/g. The drug adsorption and release capacity of the developed carrier was evaluated using DOX as a model drug. The developed carrier had superior pH sensitivity, with a high release rate at pH 3. During this time, drug loading rates and encapsulation rates were 6.62% and 44.14%, respectively. Graphical abstract