Pore-expanded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have demonstrated promising applications for imaging, catalysis, sensing, and drug and enzyme delivery due to distinct biocompatible and biodegradable advantages. However, previous formation mechanism for MSNs without a swelling agent may not explain a similar pathway for pore-expanded MSNs due to additional molecule interactions during cooperative self-assemblies. Our recent data reveal slower nucleation and growth rates for the pore-expanded MSNs in which manipulation of morphologies Figure 1. <img src='https://acs-archive-assets2.s3.amazonaws.com/240nm/uploads/35772_figure1.jpg' alt='' /> and pore sizes via composition formulas is highly possible in a facile colloidal synthesis. We employ X-ray scattering technique to understand such important formation variations upon pore expansion and morphology tailoring that can apply additional benefits toward loading and catalytic efficiencies toward biomedical applications.

Time-resolved pore expansion upon growth of mesoporous silica nanoparticles via in situ small-angle X-ray scattering

247th National Meeting (2014)

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