Synthesis of double mesoporous core-shell silica spheres with tunable core porosity and their drug release and cancer cell apoptosis properties

► Double mesoporous core-shell silica spheres (DMCSSs) was fabricated by a single surfactant-templating step. ► The spherical size and porosity of the silica cores of DMCSS can be tuned by controlling Stöber parameters. ► DMCSS showed controlled release behavior for loaded drugs. ► DMCSS loaded with thymoquinone was more effective in inducing cancer cell apoptosis than uncontained thymoquinone.