Altering the Biodegradation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles by Means of Experimental Parameters and Surface Functionalization

Figure 2

Schematic representation of the biodegradation chemistry. represents inorganic phosphates which are in physiological pH mostly . The coordination of the silicon atom increases to more than fourfold in the presence of a nucleophile such as . This weakens the oxide bonds with the next layer of silicon atoms and favors hydrolysis.