Recent advances in two-dimensional nanomaterials: properties, antimicrobial, and drug delivery application of nanocomposites

Abstract

The death caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens is increasing day by day, and it needs special attention due to the challenges faced by the world health care systems. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop novel materials for antimicrobial and drug delivery applications due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant microbial pathogens. The innovations in polymer nanotechnology have paved the way to explore their applications in biomedical and other industrial sectors. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are ultrathin nanomaterials that receive great attention due to the degree of anisotropy, a higher surface area, antimicrobial activity, and a drug-carrying capacity. These easily tunable materials can be functionalized with any material of interest that makes them superior to others. The polymer nanocomposites based on 2D materials can have significant potential in drug delivery and antimicrobial applications. Hence, this review will give an overview of different types of 2D nanomaterials, their properties, their interaction with biological systems, their antimicrobial mechanisms, antiviral properties, 2D material-based viral detection, their interaction with surfaces, immunomodulating effect, biocompatibility, 2D materials and inflammation, polymer composites based on 2D materials, and their antimicrobial as well as biomedical applications.