Dendritic fibrous nano-particles (DFNPs) with three-dimensional (3D) center-radial channels and hierarchical pores have unique structural characteristics including open pore nanochannels, highly accessible internal spaces, large pore volumes, etc., compared with conventional mesoporous materials. Diverse guest species (such as functional molecules or nano-particles (NPs)) could be easily transported through the radial porous architectures, achieving their efficient loading or reaction with the chemically active sites on these nanochannels. During the last decade, silica-based DFNPs have attracted considerable attention and experienced rapid development in terms of synthesis techniques, formation mechanisms, functionalization approaches, and application fields. A majority of investigations have demonstrated that silica-based DFNPs exhibit inherent structural superiorities when they serve as platforms to construct novel nanocatalysts, adsorbent materials, and delivery systems for genes, proteins, or drugs. Therefore, DFNPs may be ideal alternatives as brand-new rising stars. For the first time, this comprehensive review will provide a critical survey on the development of the DFNP family (such as silica-, titania-, carbon-, bioactive glass-, silica & titania-, silica & aluminum-based ones, etc.), including its origin, structural characteristics, commonly used structural models, novel structures (hollow, yolk–shell, Janus-like, etc.), promising applications, and so forth. It is sincerely expected that this summary and in-depth discussion could give materials scientists and chemists certain inspiration to accelerate the DFNP family's booming evolution.

Dendritic fibrous nano-silica (DFNS), also well-known as KCC-1, possesses three-dimensional center-radial nanochannels and hierarchical nanopores. Compared with conventional mesoporous materials like SBA-15, these special structural characteristics endow DFNS with more accessible internal space, higher specific surface area, larger pore volume, etc. Even though great progress has been achieved, the as-prepared KCC-1 nanospheres exhibit extremely non-uniform diameters and their sizes differ enormously in almost all available traditional synthesis approaches. Herein, a facile and low-cost one-pot rotating hydrothermal approach is adopted to improve the size uniformity of dendritic fibrous nano-silica. Stirring rates of 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 (the maximum) revolutions per minute (rpm) can influence KCC-1 uniformity to certain extents. Among them, 60 rpm can be considered to be an ideal stirring rate for relatively uniform KCC-1 because of the best sufficient contact of reaction phases. A plausible synthesis mechanism can be explained in terms of continuously variable stress conditions of the reaction mother liquor (i.e., the bicontinuous microemulsion) during the fabrication process. To be specific, except for gravity (G), this technique brings about the centrifugal force (F) stemming from the stirring rate, and the buoyancy (f) originated from vigorous reversal of organic phase in the reaction solution. These forces synergistically mix organic phase and water phase, which generates new bicontinuous microemulsion droplets (BMDs) to supplement the consumed ones. All in all, this approach as well as the synthesis equipment is simple, inexpensive, and reproducible for large-scale KCC-1 preparation with improved size uniformity.