Hybrid Materials and Nanocomposites as Multifunctional Biomaterials

Abstract

This review article provides an overview of hybrid and nanocomposite materials used as biomaterials in nanomedicine, focusing on applications in controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensors and theranostic systems. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of tuning the properties of nanocomposites, which can be achieved by choosing appropriate synthetic methods and seeking synergy among different types of materials, particularly exploiting their nanoscale nature. The challenges in fabrication for the nanocomposites are highlighted by classifying them as those comprising solely inorganic phases (inorganic/inorganic hybrids), organic phases (organic/organic hybrids) and both types of phases (organic/inorganic hybrids). A variety of examples are given for applications from the recent literature, from which one may infer that significant developments for effective use of hybrid materials require a delicate balance among structure, biocompatibility, and stability.

Biocompatibility Evolves: Phenomenology to Toxicology to Regeneration

“…Themes relevant to this modern conception of biocompatibility include the phenotypic polarization and distribution of key cell types that drive the tissue response; [106,112,140,168,182,183] the incorporation of a wide range of components from both natural and synthetic origins; [184,185] a keen awareness of microbiological processes; [186,187] and, perhaps most significantly, those approaches that integrate multiple solutions in the creation of multifunctional materials that address these various issues in a simultaneous or sequential fashion. [188][189][190] The contemporary approach to the design of biocompatible biomaterials, then, begins with an understanding, from first principles, of the physiological requirements (i.e., mechanical, electrochemical, structural, etc.) of the target tissue and proceeds with the design, selection, and integration of materials along the three design axes.…”

In vivo immuno‐reactivity analysis of the porous three‐dimensional chitosan/SiO2 and chitosan/SiO2/hydroxyapatite hybrids

“…[4][5][6] In addition, both inorganic and organic components have a congruent degradation behavior and hybrids have the potential for tailoring the material properties such as mechanical properties, degradation rate, scaffold morphology, and others. 1-3 Some properties of HOIM are distinctly different to that of the parent inorganic and organic elements.…”

The physical microenvironment of hematopoietic stem cells and its emerging roles in engineering applications

“…Composite nanofibers such as chitosan composite, collagen composite, and gelatin composite, possessing the advantages of both natural polymers and synthetic polymers, have been fabricated for 3D cell cultivation scaffolds. The nanoscale nature of such hybrid scaffolds can be adjusted by choosing appropriate synthetic methods and seeking synergy among different types of materials [117]. For instances, PCL/gelatin fibers were investigated as promising scaffolds for cell proliferation and fate regulation [118].…”