A fluorescent porous silica particle for drug delivery includes a bridged silane fluorescent dye incorporated throughout the particles matrix. Copolymerization of a bridged silane fluorescent dye (e.g., (R′O)3Si—R—Si(OR′)3, where R is a fluorescent organic bridging group, and where R′ is a methyl or ethyl group) and a tetralkoxysilane (e.g., Si(OR′)4, where R′ is a methyl or ethyl group) in the presence of a surfactant generates matrix-incorporated fluorescent porous silica particles of a predetermined size and shape. A capping layer is then bonded onto the surface of each particle and, subsequently, the surfactant within the pores of each particle is removed. The capping layer reversibly changes between closed and opened states responsive to a stimulus. A payload is then loaded within of the pores by applying the stimulus to open the capping layer. The payload is then entrapped within the pores by removing the stimulus to close the capping layer.
