Mixed micelle-template route to mesoporous silica.

Mesoporous silica materials were prepared through a novel mixed micelle-template method which was employed by alkyl polyethylene oxide (C16,E20) and C2-ceramide. X-ray diffraction patterns clearly showed the formation of mesoporous silica by contribution of mixed micelle-template up to 3/1 weight ratio (C16E20/C2-ceramide). TEM and N2 adsorption isotherms analyses indicated that the mesoporous structure was maintained even after encased C2-ceramides. However, when the weight ratio of C16E20/C2-ceramide exceeds 2/2, less ordered and irregular pore structure was observed. According to the in-vitro experiment on cancer cells such as MCF-7, HOS, and HepG2, the simultaneously encapsulated C2-ceramide shows apoptosis. Therefore, the present results could provide a new method for mesoporous material as drug delivery system.