In the present study, we report the dispersion of titanate nanotubes (TiONts) via polymer grafting (PolyEthylene Glycol, PEG) or polymer adsorption (polyethylene imine, PEI) where different TiONts/polymer ratios have been investigated. The TiONts/PEI and TiONts/PEG nanohybrids were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as by zeta potential measurements in order to determine both their dispersion state and stability in water (at different pH for zetametry). The nature of the chemical bonds at the surface of these nanohybrids was investigated by Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy while the grafting densities of PEG on the nanotubes were quantified by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The nanohybrids reported here are promising tools for biotechnology applications due to their tubular morphology, their very good dispersion in water and the reactivity of their surface.

Polydopamine (pDA)-modified iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles (IONPs) are developed and designed as nanovectors of drugs. Reactive quinone of pDA enhances the binding efficiency of various biomolecules for targeted delivery. Glutathione disulfide (GSSG), an abundant thiol species in the cytoplasm, was immobilized on the pDA-IONP surface. It serves as a cellular trigger to release the drug from the nanoparticles providing an efficient platform for the drug delivery system. Additionally, GSSG on the surface was further modified to form S-nitrosoglutathione that can act as nitric oxide (NO) donors. These NPs were fully characterized using a transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-vis spectroscopies. Doxorubicin (DOX) and docetaxel (DTX) are two anticancer drugs, which were loaded onto nanoparticles with respective loading efficiencies of 243 and 223 µmol/g of IONPs, calculated using TGA measurements. DOX release study, using UV-vis spectroscopy, showed a pH responsive behavior, making the elaborated nanocarrier a potential drug delivery system. (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl) -2H-tetrazolium (MTS) and apoptosis assays were performed on PC3 cell lines to evaluate the efficiency of the developed nanocarriers. These nanoparticles thus can prove their worth in cancer treatment on account of their easy access to the site and release of drug in response to changes to internal parameters such as pH, chemicals, etc.