Stimuli-responsive organic-inorganic mesoporous silica hybrids: A comprehensive review on synthesis and recent advances

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive organic-inorganic mesoporous silica hybrid materials have attracted significant attention because of their tuning properties that enable a wide range of applications. The characteristic properties of nanohybrids can be further manipulated by various external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, magnetic and electrical fields, redox, and enzymes. The tuning of the properties leads to the alternating nature of the hybrids and exhibition of on-off behaviour under different stimulations. Stimuli-responsive mesoporous silica hybrid materials find applications in diverse fields, such as catalysis, drug delivery, gene delivery, sensing, and imaging. In this review, we discuss the synthetic techniques, physicochemical properties, and behaviour of various responsive materials, along with the potential applications of mesoporous silica hybrids in a wide range of fields. In addition, the scope and future development of stimuli-responsive mesoporous silica hybrids are examined in detail.