Mesoporous LaB6@calcium silicate composite: Preparation, NIR photothermal conversion and drug delivery properties

Mesoporous LaB6@calcium silicate composite with a core-shell structure has been prepared at 72 degrees C for 20 min via a sonochemical method using Ca(NO3)(2) and TEOS as raw materials. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method. The results showed that LaB6 nanoparticles were coated by calcium silicate nanosheets. The specific surface area of LaB6@calcium silicate composite was larger than that of LaB6 nanoparticles. Photothermal conversion test indicated that both LaB6 nanoparticles and LaB6@ calcium silicate composite showed superior photothermal conversion performance and the amount of calcium silicate had an effect on the photothermal conversion property of the composite. LaB6 nanoparticles and porous LaB6@ calcium silicate composite were explored as drug carriers. IBU release percentages of LaB6@calcium silicate composites were all more than 65%, much higher than that of LaB6 nanoparticles. LaB6@calcium silicate composite showed a favorable release property for IBU in SBF.