Stabilization of porous silicon nanoparticles by PEGalization in water

Abstract

Abstract Mesoporous silicon (mPSi) nanoparticles (NPs) are stabilized by polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains during mechanical grinding in a ball mill that is used to form mPSi-PEG-NPs. The structure, composition, and properties of the obtained samples are studied by means of the dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The proposed PEGalization procedure is an effective way of regulating the dissolution of mPSi-NPs in water and it is promising for potential application of mPSi-NPs in drug delivery.