Conductive Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications

"Smart" materials are gaining widespread attention and popularity due to their innovative ability to provide additional functionalities that go beyond the capabilities of traditional materials. Moreover, interesting phenomena surge at the transition from the microscale to the nanoscale, where significant changes in their properties occur due to the emergence of quantum effects. However, these often combine materials of different nature which might be difficult to merge. This can be solved by the use of core-shell structures, as they have the ability to combine different materials with an enhanced functionality allowing for their application-specific tailoring. Here, various synthesis techniques of core-shell nanostructures featuring a conductive shell are outlined, including physical and chemical methods, and their influence on the final electrical properties of the nanoparticles. This work also discusses the most common conductive polymers used as shell materials, exploring their impact on the nanoparticles' performance. Applications across a wide range of fields ranging from biomedicine for cancer intervention to energy storage, catalysis, and microelectronics are reviewed, showcasing the potential of these versatile nanoparticles to drive technological advances. Challenges related to their synthesis, material compatibility, and environmental concerns are acknowledged, with suggestions for future research directions. Selecting the appropriate synthesis strategy is pivotal for the successful development of conductive core-shell nanoparticles, directly impacting their functionality and applicability.