Synthesis and Surface Characterization of Silica-Polypeptide Composite Particles

The synthesis and sequential surface characterization of silica-polypeptide composite particles is described. Nearly monodisperse colloidal silica cores were obtained by the alkaline hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The hydrodynamic radius can be easily controlled in the range of ƒî 20-140 nm by the water/TEOS ratio in the starting reaction mixture. The surface of the synthesized silica cores was further passivated/functionalized (P/F) by a mixture of (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APS) and methyl-trimethoxysilane (MTMS). The amino groups were quantified using UV-Vis spectrometry after reaction with ninhydrin. The use of zeta potential measurements of the P/F silica particles at low pH is presented as a potential alternative for the quantification of surface amino groups. The amino groups on the P/F silica cores were used as initiators for the polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) yielding silica-polypeptide composite particles. The polypeptide content of silica-PBLG (silica-poly(ƒ×-benzyl-L-glutamate)) was controlled when the synthesis was performed by sequential addition of N-carboxyanhydride (monomer). The polypeptide shell in a ¡§wet¡¨ state was visualized by using positive staining with osmium tetroxide (OsO4) vapors when the particles were dispersed in pyridine. The stained composite particles were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). They appear as spheres with a light corona around them. The use of an internal negative control that can be easily observed in the same field presents a compelling argument for the hypothesis that the observed corona is the polypeptide shell. The benzyl groups of PBLG on silica-PBLG composite particles were removed by reaction with hydrogen bromide yielding silica-PLGA (poly(L-glutamic acid)) particles. The hydrodynamic radii and zeta potential were studied as function of pH. The silica-PLGA composite particles appear extended and negatively charged at high pH and compact and neutral at low pH. This can be attributed to the changes on the PLGA shell. Silica-PCBL (poly(carbobenzyloxy-L-lysine)) composite particles were synthesized by the reaction of P/F silica cores with the respective NCA. The PCBL shell apparently undergoes a temperature-induced conformation transition as suggested by nuclear magnetic resonance and dynamic light scattering measurements

Synthesis and Rapid Characterization of Amine-Functionalized Silica

Amine-functionalized colloidal silica finds use in a variety of applications and fundamental investigations. To explore convenient methods of synthesis and characterization of research-grade materials in relatively large quantities, nearly monodisperse colloidal silica particles were prepared by base-catalyzed hydrolysis of reagent-grade tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) without the traditional time- and energy-consuming distillation step. Radius was varied reliably from 30 to 125 nm by changing the water/TEOS ratio. Asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) methods with online light scattering detection proved effective in assessing the uniformity of the various preparations. Even highly uniform commercial standards were resolved by AF4. The surface of the colloidal silica was decorated with amino groups using (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane and spacer methyl groups from methyl-trimethoxysilane. The surface density of amino groups was quantified spectrophotometrically after reaction with ninhydrin; the nature of this analysis avoids interference from sample turbidity. As an alternative to the ninhydrin test, an empirical relationship between surface density of amino groups and zeta potential at low pH was found. The size of the colloidal silica was predictably decreased by etching with HF; this method will be effective for some preparations, despite a modest reduction in size uniformity

Silica-polypeptide composite particles: controlling shell growth

A method is presented for preparing core-shell silica-polypeptide composite particles with variable and controllable shell growth. The procedure is demonstrated using poly(carbobenzoxy-L-lysine) and poly(benzyl-L-glutamate); after deprotection, these can lead to the most common basic and acidic homopolypeptides, poly(L-lysine) and poly(L-glutamic acid). Control over shell thickness is made possible by sequential addition of N-carboxyanhydride peptide monomer to surfaces that have been functionalized with an amino initiator combined with a surface passivation agent. This results in a series of particles having different shell thicknesses. Variation of shell thickness was evident both in light scattering and in thermogravimetric assays. The shells were visible by transmission electron microscopy; these images along with light scattering measurements suggest the polymers in the shells are highly solvated