Kinetically Controlled Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: From Dahlia- to Pomegranate-like Structures by Micelle Filling

A unique dynamic structural transition from large-pore dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs) with a dahlia-like morphology to pomegranate-like mesoporous silica nanoparticles with small mesopores is reported. The structural evolution is accompanied by gradually filling the preformed dendritic large pores with silica-coated micelles, providing a series of DMSNs with kinetically controlled dual mesoporosity. The heterogeneous porous structure of DMSNs demonstrates advantages in the co-loading of two positively charged drug molecules, showing promising potential in cellular delivery applications.