(409b) Functionalized Alumina Particles as pH-Responsive Drug Carriers

Porous alumina particles were functionalized and made pH-responsive using three silane coupling agents (SCAs) with different carbon chain lengths and terminal groups. Release of the anionic dye sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) and the cationic anti-cancer drug Doxorubicin (DOX) from the particles was performed at 37˚C and at pH's 5.0 and 7.4 to mimic physiological conditions. The isoelectric points of the functionalized particles were analyzed and are expected to play a crucial role in the pH-response and release characteristics. Charge interactions between the diffusing species and the internal surface of the particles were found to dominate the overall transport for both SR101 and DOX. The effects of silane chain length and layer formation on the release characteristics were also explored and are further discussed in this work.