Multifunctional polymer particles with distinct compartments

Polymer particles with controlled internal architecture are currently under development for a number of emerging applications. In compartmentalized particles, well-defined pockets of distinct materials can be designed that can give rise to a set of orthogonal (i.e., dissimilar) properties within the same particle. While this aspect appears crucial, when multifunctional particles for sensing, imaging or drug delivery are sought after, their experimental realization has only recently been explored in broader terms. In this review, we highlight current progress related to the design and fabrication of multicompartmental particles and discuss potential benefits and experimental challenges associated with different synthetic routes.