In the past decade, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted more and more attention for their potential biomedical applications. With their tailored mesoporous structure and high surface area, MSNs as drug delivery systems (DDSs) show significant advantages over traditional drug nanocarriers. In this review, we overview the recent progress in the synthesis of MSNs for drug delivery applications. First, we provide an overview of synthesis strategies for fabricating ordered MSNs and hollow/rattle-type MSNs. Then, the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and biotranslocation of MSNs are discussed in relation to their chemophysical properties including particle size, surface properties, shape, and structure. The review also highlights the significant achievements in drug delivery using mesoporous silica nanoparticles and their multifunctional counterparts as drug carriers. In particular, the biological barriers for nano-based targeted cancer therapy and MSN-based targeting strategies are discussed. We conclude with our personal perspectives on the directions in which future work in this field might be focused.

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Biocompatibility and Drug Delivery

Drug delivery, magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging, magnetic manipulation, and cell targeting are simultaneously possible using a multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticle. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals were encapsulated inside mesostructured silica spheres that were labeled with fluorescent dye molecules and coated with hydrophilic groups to prevent aggregation. Water-insoluble anticancer drugs were delivered into human cancer cells; surface conjugation with cancer-specific targeting agents increased the uptake into cancer cells relative to that in non-cancerous fibroblasts. The highly versatile multifunctional nanoparticles could potentially be used for simultaneous imaging and therapeutic applications.

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Multifunctional Inorganic Nanoparticles for Imaging, Targeting, and Drug Delivery

Recent advancements in morphology control and surface functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have enhanced the biocompatibility of these materials with high surface areas and pore volumes. Several recent reports have demonstrated that the MSNs can be efficiently internalized by animal and plant cells. The functionalization of MSNs with organic moieties or other nanostructures brings controlled release and molecular recognition capabilities to these mesoporous materials for drug/gene delivery and sensing applications, respectively. Herein, we review recent research progress on the design of functional MSN materials with various mechanisms of controlled release, along with the ability to achieve zero release in the absence of stimuli, and the introduction of new characteristics to enable the use of nonselective molecules as screens for the construction of highly selective sensor systems.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for drug delivery and biosensing applications

Drug delivery, magnetic resonance andfluorescence imaging, magnetic manipulation, and cell targetingaresimultaneouslypossibleusingamultifunctionalmesoporoussilicananoparticleSuperparamagnetic ironoxidenanocrystalswereencapsulatedinsidemesostructuredsilicaspheresthatwerelabeledwithfluorescent dye molecules and coated with hydrophilic groups to prevent aggregation Water-insoluble anticancer drugs were delivered into human cancer cells; surface conjugation with cancer-specific targeting agents increased the uptake into cancer cells relative to that in non-cancerousfibroblasts The highly versatile multifunctional nanoparticles could potentially be used for simultaneous imaging and therapeutic applications

/pdf/multifunctional-inorganic-nanoparticles-for-imaging-3c6uigzz0u.pdf

Multifunctional Inorganic Nanoparticles for Imaging, Targeting, and Drug

Synthesis of multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles (MFMNPs) is one of the most active research areas in advanced materials. MFMNPs that have magnetic properties and other functionalities have been demonstrated to show great promise as multimodality imaging probes. Their multifunctional surfaces also allow rational conjugations of biological and drug molecules, making it possible to achieve target-specific diagnostics and therapeutics. This review first outlines the synthesis of MNPs of metal oxides and alloys and then focuses on recent developments in the fabrication of MFMNPs of core/shell, dumbbell, and composite hybrid type. It also summarizes the general strategies applied for NP surface functionalization. The review further highlights some exciting examples of these MFMNPs for multimodality imaging and for target-specific drug/gene delivery applications.

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Biomedical Applications of Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles

We demonstrate a strategy for the synthesis of multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles. These uniform tumblerlike nanocomposites, which simultaneously possess magnetic, luminescent, and porous properties, have great potential in biomedical applications.

Multifunctional composite nanoparticles: Magnetic, luminescent, and mesoporous

We report a novel Au−Ag bimetallic nanocatalyst supported on an acidic mesoporous aluminosilicate Au−Ag@APTS-MCM prepared by a two-step synthesis procedure, which is very active for low-temperature CO oxidation. Its catalytic activity is still quite appreciable after 1 year of storage under room conditions. The silane APTS [H2N(CH2)3-Si(OMe)3] was used to surface functionalize mesoporous silica. The functionalized mesoporous silica was used to absorb the gold precursor AuCl4− and silver precursor AgNO3 to form gold−silver bimetallic nanoparticles inside the nanochannels after chemical reduction. The catalysts were activated by calcinations, followed with hydrogen reduction at 873 K. Using various characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, UV−vis, transmission electrom microscopy, and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), we elucidated the structure and surface compositions. As compared with the previously reported Au−Ag@MCM, prepared by one-pot procedure, the new method yields...

CO Oxidation Catalyzed by Au−Ag Bimetallic Nanoparticles Supported in Mesoporous Silica

Ordered mesoporous thin film carbon (TFC) material, of short channels vertical to the film, was synthesized by the replication of mesoporous silica SBA-15(⊥) template and was deposited with PtRu nanocatalyst as an anodic material in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The anode nanocatalyst PtRu was characterized by XRD, Raman, XPS, nitrogen adsorption, and COad stripping. Electrocatalytic activity, characterized by anodic current, was compared with PtRu supported on various carbon supports, including TFC, CMK-3, and XC-72. The much enhanced methanol electrochemical oxidation activity in PtRu/TFC was ascribed to increased nanocatalysts' utilization efficiency with the short nanochannels of TFC.

Well-Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Thin Film with Perpendicular Channels: Application to Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Ordered mesoporous thin-film carbon (TFC) material, of short channels vertical to the film, was synthesized by hard templating and deposited with PtRu nanocatalyst as an anodic material in a direct...

Meng-Liang Lin

Papers

Multifunctional composite nanoparticles: Magnetic, luminescent, and mesoporous

CO Oxidation Catalyzed by Au−Ag Bimetallic Nanoparticles Supported in Mesoporous Silica

Well-Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Thin Film with Perpendicular Channels: Application to Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

PtRu Nanoparticles Supported on Ozone-Treated Mesoporous Carbon Thin Film As Highly Active Anode Materials for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

PtRuP nanoparticles supported on mesoporous carbon thin film as highly active anode materials for direct methanol fuel cell