Issue 17, 2013

Nanoporous microspheres: from controllable synthesis to healthcare applications

Abstract

Multiscale nanoporous microspheres have attracted great research interest in multiple fields, such as separation, catalysis, sensors, energy storage, tissues engineering and drug release, due to their excellent permeability, high surface area, low density and stable mechanical properties. In this review, well-defined nanoporous microspheres ranging from inorganic to organic nanoporous microspheres are presented and categorized. First, we classify nanoporous microspheres into three main structural categories that include an “opened” nanoporous microsphere, a “closed” nanoporous microsphere and surface nanoporous microspheres. The corresponding approaches to fabricating these nanoporous microspheres are further presented, which mainly include hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, thermal decomposition, suspension polymerization, dispersion polymerization, precipitation polymerization, emulsion polymerization, multiple emulsion–solvent evaporation, template and microfluidic methods. In addition, our discussions focus on the healthcare applications of nanoporous microspheres, such as bioseparation, drug control and release and tissue engineering. This review will be expected to provide a comprehensive guide to the design and synthesis of functional nanoporous microspheres that closely relate to healthcare applications.

Graphical abstract: Nanoporous microspheres: from controllable synthesis to healthcare applications

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
07 янв 2013
Accepted
28 фев 2013
First published
28 фев 2013

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013,1, 2222-2235

Nanoporous microspheres: from controllable synthesis to healthcare applications

J. Fan, C. Huang, L. Jiang and S. Wang, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013, 1, 2222 DOI: 10.1039/C3TB00021D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements