Co–templating Synthesis of Bimodal Mesoporous Silica for Potential Drug Carrier

Bimodal mesoporous silica is prepared by co‐templating method using PEO‐ b ‐PLA diblock copolymer and F127 triblock copolymer. The pore size distribution of the mesoporous silica is bimodal, based on small angle X‐ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption‐desorption isotherms analyses, and can be divided into the larger pores, originating from PEO‐ b ‐PLA, and the smaller pores, originating from F127. In addition, we are able to ascertain that the F127 triblock copolymer not only produces the smaller pores, but also acts as a swelling agent in the formation of the larger pores. This novel bimodal mesoporous silica is further successfully employed as a drug‐carrier for doxorubicin in ambient conditions.