Biomedical Applications of Functionalized ZnO Nanomaterials: from Biosensors to Bioimaging

Abstract

The richness of the structures and properties of members of the ZnO‐based nanostructure family endows these materials with diverse functionalities. In the last decade, the great potential of ZnO‐based nanostructures for biomedical applications due to their unique electronic, optical, catalytical, and antimicrobial properties, as well as their excellent biocompatibility, has been recognized. The ever‐deteriorating environment and the rapidly aging population have given rise to an increase in diseases, healthcare concerns and medical costs, particularly in developing countries, which has led to a high demand for better and lower‐cost biomedical devices with novel biofunctionalities. Here, we review the recent advances in research on nanostructured ZnO‐based biomaterials that have been developed for biomedical applications, such as in biosensorsing, tissue regeneration, bioimaging and drug delivery.

Safe‐by‐Design Ligand‐Coated ZnO Nanocrystals Engineered by an Organometallic Approach: Unique Physicochemical Properties and Low Toxicity toward Lung Cells

“…[18] Comparison of these data indicates that the PL decay is not affected by the ether tail length of the supporting miniPEGl igands. [29] Toxicology of ZnO NCs The observed ultralong luminescence lifetimei ss everalo rders of magnitude longert han that observed for ZnO nanostructures derived from sol-gelp rocesses, and this uniquep roperty opens up new prospects for photovoltaic andp hotocatalytic [28] as well as biological applications.…”

Electrophoretic Deposited Stable Chitosan@MoS2 Coating with Rapid In Situ Bacteria‐Killing Ability under Dual‐Light Irradiation

“…Traditional surface strategies for improving antibacterial activity are based on the release of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, metallic ions (i.e., Ag + , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , etc. ) and inorganic nanoparticles, which may introduce some other latent side effects . Furthermore, it is difficult to in situ control their properties timely once these coatings have been implanted into the body together with implant materials.…”

The application of nanogenerators and piezoelectricity in osteogenesis

“…ZnO has seen a large number of applications in the fields of environmental science, biomedicine, and electronics because of its high biocompatibility and ideal antimicrobial, physical, and chemical properties [96]. The piezoelectric coefficient of ZnO is 12.4 pC/N, and it has promising piezoelectric properties, promoting its use as nanogenerators for tissue engineering [97][98][99].…”