Effect of bio-template on the properties of SiO2/Al2O3 composites for drug delivery

In this study, SiO2/Al2O3 composites (C-SLNs) were successfully synthesized using chitosan as the template for drug delivery. The C-SLNs had higher specific surface areas (244–607 m2/g), total pore volumes (0.19–0.34 cm3 g−1), and narrow mesopore size distribution. The porosity of the C-SLNs prepared under high Si/Al ratio conditions was achieved mostly by the formation of wider pores that were distributed in the meso-/macro-pores. And, the C-SLNs were used as a levofloxacin carrier to study its drug release behavior, which exhibited an initial fast release followed by a sustained release and antibacterial effectiveness over a long period.