In situ SAXRD study of sol-gel induced well-ordered mesoporous bioglasses for drug delivery

In this work, two systems of mesoporous bioglasses (MBGs) were sol-gel derived using block copolymer pluronic F127 and P123, respectively, as templates. A two-dimensional hexagonal (P6mm) mesoporous structure was obtained for the two systems, with d-spacing in (100) reflection of 8.49 nm for P123-templated MBG (P123-MBG) and 10.26 nm for F127-templated MBG (F127-MBG). The phase transformation behavior for the systems was elucidated using an in situ synchrotron small angle X-ray diffraction approach, with the corresponding mechanisms proposed. It was indicated that both systems go through a complicated phase transformation, from a disordered to a finely ordered hexagonal structure during the self-evaporation process. The surfactants not only acted as templates for the ordered structure, but also enhanced the rigidity of Si-O network, which prevented disruption to the ordered Si-O arrangement by the Ca²⁺ and P-O group. In vitro bioactivity study showed similar bioactivity for both the P123-MBG and F127-MBG systems. Drug loading and release studies using a model metoclopramide drug showed that both MBGs presented better loading and release compared to normal bioglass (BG). The significantly higher loading and better sustained release for P123-MBG, compared to F127-MBG, is attributed to its higher pore volume and surface area.