Dendritic Mesoporous Nanoparticles: Structure, Synthesis and Properties

Abstract Recently, dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles with widespread applications have attracted great interest. Despite many publications (>800), the terminology “dendritic” is ambiguous. Understanding what possible “dendritic structures” are, their formation mechanisms and underlying structure–property relationship fundamentally important. With advance of characterization techniques such as electron tomography, two types tree‐branch‐like flower‐like structures can be distinguished, both described in literature. In this Review, we start definition “dendritic”, then provide critical analysis reported according to structural classification. We update understandings nanoparticles, highlighting how control parameters. Applications are also reviewed a focus on biomedical field, providing new insights into family nanomaterials.