8 - Polymer nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Abstract

Nanoparticles and their exceptional properties have gained much interest in various sectors in recent times of technological advancement. The incorporation of nanoparticles into polymer matrices forms polymer nanocomposites that have opened immense possibilities in different kinds of applications ranging from building materials and automotive industries to packaging applications, and so on. This wide range of applications is possible because of exceptional material properties enhanced by additional nanomaterials. In addition to these applications, properties like limited toxicity, tailorable compatibility, enhanced biodegradation, excellent barrier, mechanical and thermal properties, specific bioactivity, and antimicrobial characteristics have led the polymer nanocomposite family to very specialized advanced applications in areas related to biomedical science and biotechnology. Materials used in these sophisticated fields of science need to be suitable for human body interaction, and for that reason these materials are ought to be more selective than other types of materials. Up until recently, conventional polymer materials have been extensively used in biomedical applications but toxicity issues, nonbiocompatibility, and difficulties with biodegradation have forced scientists to search for an alternate solution. Biomaterials prepared by blending conventional polymer and nano-scaled composites are proved to be useful in these complicated medical applications in many pieces of research in recent times. This chapter discusses recent findings of polymer nanocomposites for biomedical applications that include but are not limited to antimicrobial activities, 3D and 4D bioprinting, controlled drug release, targeted cancer therapy, medical implants, device development, and biosensing applications.