Talented Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

The structure and functionality of\nmesoporous silica nanoparticles\ncan be tuned by means of numerous and diverse synthetic strategies.\nFocusing on experimental methods, we describe how pore size and pore\ntopology of the mesopore system can be modified through templating\nand pore-swelling agents, as well as different synthesis conditions.\nMoreover, we show how the mesoporous nanoparticles can be functionalized\nthrough co-condensation methods with silane coupling agents, with\nspecific emphasis on the spatially selective anchoring of different\nmolecular functionalities within the nanoparticles. We discuss methods\nfor changing the composition of the pore walls of the mesoporous particles,\nfor example by including redox-sensitive sulfide bonds or by creating\nautofluorescent curcumin-containing mesoporous organosilica. The efficiency\nof targeted drug delivery applications strongly depends on morphological\nparameters such as size and shape of the mesoporous nanoparticles.\nIt is demonstrated how the particle size of the mesoporous nanoparticles\ncan be modified over a wide range from about 30 nm to several hundred\nnanometers. Developing this context further, we consider several examples\nof triggered molecular mechanisms intended for the controlled intracellular\nrelease of bioactive substances from the pore system of mesoporous\nnanoparticles.