Synthesis and characterization of silicas with cubic mesoporous structure: FDU-1 and SBA-16

• Grant number: 20/04063-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Immunochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Tereza da Silva Martins
• Grantee: Milena Andrade Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/17844-8 - Nanostructured silica as a protective vehicle for vaccines and biomolecules, AP.TEM

Abstract

Ordered mesoporous silicas, such as SBA-15, SBA-15 and FDU-1 with a highly ordered periodic porous structure have been extensively studied and are promising for various applications such as biomedical applications due to their porous and morphological characteristics. In the context, studies focusing on structural and morphological control, particle size and porosity are very important for biological applications since the silicas with different mesoporous structure and morphology can be interact with the biological medium differently. This project aims to synthesize and characterize SBA-16 and FDU-1 and incorporate antigens to be further evaluated for their effectiveness as an adjuvant for vaccines and to compare between them and with an SBA-15, already reported in the literature. In this context, this project aims to synthesize and characterize SBA-16 and FDU-1 for the incorporation of antigens and later to be evaluated for their effectiveness as an adjuvant for vaccines and to compare them with each other and with SBA-15, already reported in literature. SBA-16, which has a cubic hexagonal mesoporous structure with an Im3m spatial group, will be prepared with Pluronic®F127 (PEO106PPO70PEO106 ~ 12,600g mol-1) and FDU-1, also with a cubic structure, Fm3m spatial group, in the form of a cage will be prepared using the triblock copolymer of molar mass ~ 6800 g mol-1, Vorasurf® 504 [(PEO38PBO46PEO38, PBO = poly (butylene oxide)] or B50-6600 (PEO39PBO47PEO39) with more hydrophobic PBO. The SBA-16 and FDU-1 samples and the hybrid materials (silica and antigens) obtained will be characterized by low angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), isotherms of absorption / desorption of N2, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal analysis.