Multicompartmental Mesoporous Silica/Polymer Nanostructured Hybrids: Design Capabilities by Integrating Linear and Star-Shaped Block Copolymers

Poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-b-PEO) linear diblock copolymer and polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide) (PS(10)PEO(10)) heteroarm star copolymer were used as building elements to prepare organic–inorganic hybrids. By using the layer-by-layer (LbL) methodology, these elements were integrated on mesoporous silica through non-covalent interactions, namely, ionic and H-bonding. For the latter, tannic acid (TA) was used as an intermediate layer. The deposition of the various layers was monitored by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electrophoretic measurements, and confocal microscopy. The final silica hybrid, bearing alternating P2VP-b-PEO and PS(10)PEO(10) star layers was capable of carrying one hydrophilic and two hydrophobic chemical species in distinct compartments. These multicompartmental organic–inorganic hybrids could be used as nanostructured carriers for pH-responsive multiple drug delivery and potential theranostic applications.