Dendritic fibrous nano-particles (DFNPs): rising stars of mesoporous materials

Abstract

Dendritic fibrous nano-particles (DFNPs) with three-dimensional (3D) center-radial channels and hierarchical pores have unique structural characteristics including open pore nanochannels, highly accessible internal spaces, large pore volumes, etc., compared with conventional mesoporous materials. Diverse guest species (such as functional molecules or nano-particles (NPs)) could be easily transported through the radial porous architectures, achieving their efficient loading or reaction with the chemically active sites on these nanochannels. During the last decade, silica-based DFNPs have attracted considerable attention and experienced rapid development in terms of synthesis techniques, formation mechanisms, functionalization approaches, and application fields. A majority of investigations have demonstrated that silica-based DFNPs exhibit inherent structural superiorities when they serve as platforms to construct novel nanocatalysts, adsorbent materials, and delivery systems for genes, proteins, or drugs. Therefore, DFNPs may be ideal alternatives as brand-new rising stars. For the first time, this comprehensive review will provide a critical survey on the development of the DFNP family (such as silica-, titania-, carbon-, bioactive glass-, silica & titania-, silica & aluminum-based ones, etc.), including its origin, structural characteristics, commonly used structural models, novel structures (hollow, yolk–shell, Janus-like, etc.), promising applications, and so forth. It is sincerely expected that this summary and in-depth discussion could give materials scientists and chemists certain inspiration to accelerate the DFNP family's booming evolution.