Silica coatings: From nanostructures to biological entities
Carina I. C. Crucho
Abstract
Silica coatings have emerged as a key player in the realm of materials science, facilitating a transformative bridge between traditional nanoparticles and precision molecular design. Silica, renowned for its adaptability and synthetic versatile properties, stands as a cornerstone in a wide array of applications. Its unique capacity to finely adjust physicochemical surface characteristics, encompassing wettability, charge, chemical composition, and morphology, positions silica as a versatile material for innovation. This Review provides a comprehensive exploration of the transformative role of silica coatings. It specifically delves into the synthesis, properties, and implications of silica coatings, highlighting their remarkable capacity to respond to environmental cues, adapt to diverse surface functionalities, and catalyze innovative research. From nanostructures poised to revolutionize materials science to the intricate world of biological entities, the multifaceted realm of silica coatings beckons, reshaping the boundaries of materials science and biology in ways both profound and promising.