MCM-41 functionalized with YVO₄:Eu³⁺: a novel drug delivery system

Luminescence functionalization of ordered mesoporous MCM-41 silica was realized by depositing a YVO 4 :Eu 3+ phosphor layer on its surface via the Pechini sol–gel process. This material, which combines the mesoporous structure of MCM-41 and the strong red luminescence property of YVO 4 :Eu 3+ , has been studied as a host carrier for drug delivery/release systems. The structure, morphology, texture and optical properties of the materials were well characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N 2 adsorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results indicated that the specific surface area and pore volume of MCM-41, which were directly correlated to the drug-loading amount and ibuprofen (IBU) release rate, decreased in sequence after deposition of YVO 4 :Eu 3+ and loading of IBU as expected. The IBU-loaded YVO 4 :Eu 3+ @ MCM - 41 system still showed red luminescence under UV irradiation (365 nm) and a controlled release property for IBU. In addition, the emission intensity of Eu 3+ increases with an increase in the cumulative released amount of IBU, making the extent of drug release easily identified, tracked and monitored by the change of luminescence, which demonstrates its potential application in drug delivery/release systems.