Porous aerogel and core/shell nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery: A review.

This review presents the methods and general strategies for the synthesis of porous aerogels and core/shell nanoparticles with efficient and controlled drug delivery. Different mechanisms of drug delivery are also discussed, which are influenced by the porosity, surface area, pH and surface functionalization of the aerogel and core/shell nanoparticles. Various porous inorganic, organic, and hybrid systems were compared. In addition, the main physical and chemical characteristics of these porous nanoparticles which enhance the drug loading on the porous nanoparticles were discussed.