Core-shell nanoparticles coated with molecularly imprinted polymers: a review

Core-shell surface molecular imprinting technology represents a rather new trend in analytical sciences. In this kind of material, the imprinting sites are located on the surface of the cores or shells of nanoparticles (NPs). This material can improve the capability of recognizing target molecules (analytes), reduce nonspecific adsorption, increase the relative adsorption capacity and selectivity, and accelerate the rate of mass transfer. This review (with 158 references) focuses on recent trends in core-shell MIPs. Following an introduction into the field, a first main section covers common core-materials including silica, magnetic NPs, quantum dots (including semiconductor quantum dots and carbon dots), gold and silver nanoclusters, and up-conversion materials. A further section covers the materials and reagents required for preparing MIPs (with subsections on templates, functional monomers, cross-linkers, initiators, and effects of solvent). A next main section covers synthetic approaches such as precipitation polymerization, emulsion polymerization, and grafting approach. A final section gives examples for applications of core-shell MIPs in analytical assays and in sensing. Graphical abstract This review (with 158 references) focuses on recent trends in core-shell nanoparticles coated with molecularly imprinted polymers (core-shell MIPs). Three significant synthesis methods are introduced: precipitation, emulsion and grafting approach. Applications of core-shell MIPs concentrate on solid phase extraction, fluorescent probe, surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based sensors and electrochemical sensors.