Ultrasmall Silica Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Functionalization and Biomedical Application

Abstract

Abstract Ultrasmall silica nanoparticles (USNPs) with a size ＜20 nm exhibit unique advantages such as low toxicity, surface modification, and efficient renal clearance, making them highly promising in the fields of bioimaging, disease detection, gene delivery, and drug delivery. In this short review, synthesis, functionalization, and biomedical applications of USNPs are discussed. First, the different synthetic methods for fabricating hollow USNPs and solid USNPs. Then, surface modification methods are described in detail. Finally, the biomedical application progress and toxicity of USNPs encapsulated with fluorescent and drug molecule are discussed.