Preparation of fluorescent mesoporous hollow silica–fullerene nanoparticles via selective etching for combined chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Well-dispersed mesoporous hollow silica–fullerene nanoparticles with particle sizes of ∼50 nm have been successfully prepared by incorporating fullerene molecules into the silica framework followed by a selective etching method. The fabricated fluorescent silica–fullerene composite with high porosity demonstrates excellent performance in combined chemo/photodynamic therapy.