Inorganic-organic core/shell nanoparticles: progress and applications

Abstract

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.

Fig. 1. BT@HBP@PMMA nanocomposite structure. Reprinted with permission from ref. 61. Copyright 2013 American Chemical Society.

Fig. 2. (a) pH-dependent DOX release profiles of DOX@M-MSN–P(NIPAM-co-MAA)-3.3 at (□) pH 5.0, (■) pH 6.5 and (Δ) pH 7.4 in the same NaCl concentration (0.15 M) at 37 °C. (2) Cell survival assay. (b) HeLa cells: (□) blank M-MSN–P (NIPAM-co-MAA)-3.3, (■) DOX@M-MSN–P(NIPAM-co-MAA)-3.3, and (Δ) free DOX. (c) HEK 293 cells exposed to blank M-MSN–P(NIPAM-co-MAA)-3.3. Adapted with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Fig. 3. Schematic procedure of the preparation of chitosan coated mesoporous silica NPs. Reprinted with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Fig. 4. Illustration of core–shell NPs and (a) their preparation and (b) a proposed mechanism of drug-loaded NPs for fluorescence imaging and combination therapy. Reprinted with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Fig. 5. Preparation of ¹⁸F-CLIO; (A) derivatisation of primary amines followed by chemoselective “click” of the ¹⁸F-PEG radiotracer; (B) schematic of ¹⁸F-CLIO. Reprinted with permission. Copyright 2009 American Chemical Society.

Fig. 6. Synthesis procedure of Pd NPs/Apricot kernel shell. Reprinted with permission from Elsevier.

Fig. 7. Illustration of (1) oil removal from the water surface and (2) the preparation of the NPs. Reprinted with permission. Copyright 2010 American Chemical Society.

Fig. 8. Reusability of the Ag/bone nanocomposite for the hydration of 4-chlorophenylcyanamide. Reprinted with permission from Elsevier.

Viola Chiozzi

Filippo Rossi