Core–shell nanomaterials for infection and cancer therapy

Abstract Core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) are progressively attracting more attention, since the aforementioned NPs have arisen at the border between applied materials chemistry and nanotechnology. The particles display distinctive properties of the diverse materials combined. This is particularly true in terms of the inherent ability to influence the surface functions to meet the varied application needs. Nanomaterials possess well-known antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms and have been thoroughly investigated in terms of cancer research. A lot of antimicrobial nanostructures, such as zinc oxide, silver, gold, and iron oxide NPs, have been technologically engineered recently in order to kill or prevent the growth of pathogenic microbes. Even though there has been a lot of improvement in the understanding of cancer, this condition is still a main leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Because of the several disadvantages of conventional treatments, such as severe side effects and lack of specificity, core–shell NPs–based therapies have been intensely investigated over the last several years. Therapies such as hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, and a combination of radiotherapy and photothermal therapy are still under research and show promising results when aided by core–shell NPs. Given the versatility in the synthesis of these NPs, numerous types of materials can be used in order to manufacture core–shell nanosystems that are biocompatible and have specific properties, depending on the applications in which they are used.