MAGNETIC SiO2-Fe3O4 NANOCOMPOSITES AS CARRIERS OF IBUPROFEN FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE APPLICATIONS

In the present paper, we report the preparation and characterization of magnetic silica nanostructured materials that were used as ibuprofen drug molecule carriers. This work was aimed at obtaining drug release systems sensitive to a magnetic field to be directed to target sites. The preparation of the silica nanostructured materials started with the synthesis of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles that were added subsequently during the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) to obtain SiO2-Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The ibuprofen molecules were added simultaneously with magnetite nanoparticles. The in vitro ibuprofen release profiles were analyzed, showing a typical controlled release for all materials studied. The nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms; magnetic studies were also performed. The obtained materials showed low superparamagnetic values, and saturation behavior was also observed. It was demonstrated that ibuprofen does not affect the magnetic behavior of magnetite, indicating its possible use in medical applications.