Large pore raspberry textured phosphonate@silica nanoparticles for protein immobilization.

This paper reports the synthesis of large pore (11 nm) monodisperse raspberry textured phosphonate@silica nanoparticles (70-90 nm) with high capacity for protein immobilization. The raspberry nanoparticles denoted RNP_PME(2.5) with phosphonate loading 2.5 mmol g, formed using an organosilanephosphonate (MeO)SiCHCHPO(OMe), as silica surface modifier and structure directing agent. Specific reaction conditions including temperature and concentration of phosphonate, base, surfactant and co-solvent were required for RNP_PME(2.5) formation. Rhodamine B labelled RNP_PME(2.5) was readily internalised by HeLa cells with no deficit of cell viability. Aqueous dispersions of RNP_PME(2.5) were stable over several months. In protein immobilization studies using BSA, bovine serum albumin, with RNP_PME(2.5), smaller pore (∼3 nm) phosphonate@silica nanoparticles NP_PME(1.0) and NP_PME(0.2) and mesoporous silica nanoparticles, MSN, the large pore RNP_PME(2.5) gave highest BSA loading 266 mg g, formed the most stable aqueous dispersions (BSA@MSN was unstable and precipitated) and gave the best protection against BSA structural distortion at pH 7.4.