General one-pot strategy to prepare multifunctional nanocomposites with hydrophilic colloidal nanoparticles core/mesoporous silica shell structure

► A one-pot strategy was developed to coat hydrophilic nanoparticles with MSNs. ► The efficient way is useful for trapping various hydrophilic nanoparticles. ► The versatile nanocomposites have a good biocompatibility. ► Multifunctional nanocomposites are expected to be useful in cancer therapy/imaging.