Chapter 3 - Inorganic and organic–inorganic composite nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications: synthesis challenges for enhanced performance

Abstract

Methods to obtain inorganic and organic–inorganic composite nanoparticles (NP) have been investigated for the past few decades aiming at biomedical applications due to their unique properties and finite size. Although many attempts to synthesize and test NPs for biomedicine have been made, there are still challenges to achieve inorganic or organic–inorganic composite NPs with controlled morphology and improved properties. Recent advances concerning synthesis, individual, and synergistic properties in hybrid systems as well as some aspects of functionalization and biocompatibilization are discussed in this chapter. Nanoparticles with magnetic and optical properties are being tested for diagnosis and therapy of diseases. Nanocomposites, heterostructures of inorganic materials, can unify both properties leading to theranostic NPs. In addition to the properties of inorganic NPs an organic shell must be used to decrease toxicity of naked NPs. Different organic molecules can be used as surface linkers and coatings to provide the additional biofunctionalization, such as a target agent. Carbon-based inorganic nanostructures including carbon-dots, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerene, and others are not discussed in this chapter.