Synthesis and characterisation of ibuprofen-anchored MCM-41 silica and silica gel

Abstract

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen) has been anchored inside the mesoporous channels of MCM-41-type silica and on a silica gel surface. The relevant anchoring procedure through an ester function has been investigated. It uses the epoxide ring opening of 3-glycidoxypropylsilane grafted on the silica surface by the carboxylic-group-containing ibuprofen. The control of the surface modification and of the anchoring efficiency was achieved by comparison of spectroscopic data with those obtained using homogeneous counterparts. The use of nanostructured silica allowed an accurate verification of the different surface modifications and also a higher drug loading.