Fabrication of CdSe‐Nanofibers with Potential for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The design and synthesis of nanostructured functional hybrid biomaterials are essential for the next generation of advanced diagnostics and the treatment of disease. A simple route to fabricate semiconductor nanofibers by self‐assembled, elastin‐like polymer (ELP)‐templated semiconductor nanoparticles is reported. Core–shell nanostructures of CdSe nanoparticles with a shell of ELPs are used as building blocks to fabricate functional one‐dimensional (1D) nanostructures. The CdSe particles are generated in situ within the ELP matrix at room temperature. The ELP controls the size and the size‐distribution of the CdSe nanoparticles in an aqueous medium and simultaneously directs the self‐assembly of core–shell building blocks into fibril architectures. It was found that the self‐assembly of core–shell building blocks into nanofibers is strongly dependent on the pH value of the medium. Results of cytotoxicity and antiproliferation of the CdSe‐ELP nanofibers demonstrate that the CdSe‐ELP does not exhibit any toxicity towards B14 cells. Moreover, these are found to be markedly capable of crossing the cell membrane of B14. In contrast, unmodified CdSe nanoparticles with ELPs cause a strong toxic response and reduction in the cell proliferation. This concept is valid for the fabrication of a variety of metallic and semiconductor 1D‐architectures. Therefore, it is believed that these could be used not only for biomedical purposes but for application in a wide range of advanced miniaturized devices.

Emerging Applications of Multifunctional Elastin-Like Recombinamers

“…The ELR stabilizes the CdSe nanoparticles in an aqueous medium and controls their nucleation, growth and spatial distribution, thus leading to the selfassembly of core-shell building blocks into fibril architectures. The use of nontoxic nanofibrous materials has shown that the combination of different materials with ELRs is a promising strategy to find new applications in fields such as medical nanotechnology and the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases [59].…”

Size- and morphology-controlled biomimetic synthesis of hierarchical hollow BaCO3

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Consequently, to synthesize hierarchical inorganic crystals or hybrid inorganic-organic materials with controlled size and morphology has been an intensive focus, owing to the importance and potential to design new materials and devices in various fields such as medicine, ceramics, catalysis and cosmetics. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] In these researches, the fundamental understanding of the formation processes of crystals or inorganicorganic hybrids is also very important and could affect many practical applications.…”

Filamentous supramolecular structures with polyelectrolyte and cadmium sulfide

“…3 Also spherical nanoparticles can form 1D structures via self-assembly and show promising properties for biomedical applications. 4 Fibroid structures can be applied to diverse purposes, for example water purification by nano-fibrous membranes made of polysaccharide. 5 Nevertheless, the production of 1D structures is rather challenging, as shape, size and monodispersity have to be controlled.…”