# Silica Mesoporous Structures: Effective Nanocarriers in Drug Delivery and Nanocatalysts
## 6 Conclusions  
Mesoporous-based nanoparticles are a new class of engineered materials that have shown excellent potential for various applications, including as catalysts for the adsorption of pollutants and synthesis of organic compounds, and as drug nano-carriers. In this review articles, some recent advances in the synthesis and some application of well-established and well-studied classes of different mesoporous silica structures, including MCM-41, SBA-15, and SBA-16 are highlighted. We explained that the nanocatalyst-based mesoporous silicas have the ability to remove organic pollutants and can act as an efficient catalyst for the synthesizing the final products with high yields due to the ease with which their surfaces can be modified with various ligands, thus creating appropriate interactions with target  
Figure 21: Fe\({}_{3}\)O\({}_{4}\)/MCM-41-DMSA used in magnetic-responsive drug delivery. molecules. In drug delivery processes, mesoporous materials have been used as nano-carriers due their adjustable cavities and easy surface functionalization with target molecules and ligands. Due to these properties, drug releases can be accomplished at a target site at a rapid rate through interactions with various functional groups. In addition, we discuss the parameters that are essential for their syntheses as well as their important applications. When synthesizing mesoporous silica, some factors, such as the type of surfactant material, co-surfactant used, silica source, temperature, alcohol, and pH, influence their morphologies. In this regard, the use of mesoporous silica materials in potential applications requires their modification with different functional groups and affinity ligands. For instance, silica nanoparticles have many silanol groups at their surface that can be exploited for functionalization with various ligands, including drug molecules. Furthermore, these conversions can be controlled via their hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic properties as well as their bonding to guest molecules. Having a network of pores with a highly ordered, homogenously uniform distribution of cavity sizes, high surface areas, large volumes of pores, and easy functionalization makes them suitable for adsorbing hazardous pollutants, organic syntheses, and drug delivery. The observed physio-chemical properties, as well as their diverse applications, show that they have a bright future. In addition, the high versatility of these smart nanosystems opens up opportunities for the development of nanocatalysts and novel nanomedicines for the personalized therapy and diagnosis of many diseases with bad prognosis such as cancer. Finally, the present review article aims to give a brief overview and update on the drug delivery and catalytic applications of the silica mesostructures. By gathering all the research available on this particular topic and writing up a wide and deep review, this study will serve as a reference for chemists in both industry and academia sectors. M.M. : Main idea, supervision, final writing the manuscript. K.S. : First-draft preparation. M.B.Z. : Data analysis and collection, software. M.D. : First-draft preparation. S.T.K. : Data analysis and collection, software. J.S. : Data analysis and collection, software. A.F. : First-draft preparation. H.M.: Co-supervision, final writing the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. This research was funded by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, and \"The APC was funded by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad\". [PERSON] gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, the Iran Science Elites Federation (ISEF), Zeolite and Porous Materials Committee of Iranian Chemical Society and the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF). [PERSON] also acknowledges the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC) for access to the Cambridge Structural Database. [PERSON] acknowledge the association of the Chemical Industry, the Chemical Industry Fund for the financial supports.