Inorganic–organic core/shell nanoparticles: progress and applications

In recent decades a great deal of research has been dedicated to the development of core–shell nanoparticles (NPs). We decided to focus our attention on NPs with inorganic cores and organic shells and divide them by area of application such as electrical applications, drug delivery, biomedical applications, imaging, chemistry and catalysis. Organic shells, consisting in most cases of polymers (natural or synthetic), proteins or complex sugars, can improve the performance of inorganic NPs by enhancing their biocompatibility, acting as anchor sites for molecular linkages or protecting them from oxidation. Moreover, suitable design of the shell thickness can improve the chemical and thermal stability of NPs together with the possibility of tuning and controlling the release of molecules from the core. In the future new discoveries will guarantee improvement in the properties of NPs, synthesis, and applications of this class of nanomaterials that are constantly evolving.