Slow-Release of Curcumin Induced by Core–Shell Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) Modified MIL-100(Fe) Composite

As a biocompatible porous material, bio-MOF is a very promising material as a carrier for hydrophobic drugs, including curcumin. However, the stability of bio-MOF against water and humidity still needs to be improved; therefore, surface modifications are required. This study aims to modify the MIL-100(Fe)-based bio-MOF through core–shell architecture by employing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs or SiO2) for improving the stability and performance of MIL-100(Fe) to provide a slow-release feature of curcumin. The composites were synthesized via sonochemistry-assisted or mechanochemistry-assisted green protocol to form core–shell structure of MIL-100(Fe)@SiO2 (Composite-1) or SiO2@MIL-100(Fe) (Composite-2). Structural, textural, and morphological analyses, including XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, and N2 adsorption–desorption, are discussed in this study to evaluate the composite formation. BET surface area of the MIL-100(Fe) decreased from 1197.45 m2/g to 565.63 and 823.70 m2/g after forming composite-1 and composite-2 with SiO2. The loading capacity, however, just increased slightly up to 97.89% after the modification. The presence of SiO2 as shell (composite-1) protects the MIL-100(Fe) from degradation under the acidic condition at pH 5.8 and can maintain the slow-release of curcumin. In contrast, the presence of SiO2 as core (composite-2) induces the sustained release due to faster degradation of MIL-100(Fe) in acidic condition. Both composites serve as a model for either sustained release or delayed release drug delivery systems.