Tubule Nanoclay‐Organic Heterostructures for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) show unique hollow structure, high aspect ratio and adsorption ability, good biocompatibility, and low toxicity, which allow for various biomedical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Here, advances in self‐assembly of halloysite for cell capturing and bacterial proliferation, coating on biological surfaces and related drug delivery, bone regeneration, bioscaffolds, and cell labeling are summarized. The in vivo toxicity of these clay nanotubes is discussed. Halloysite allows for 10–20% drug loading and can extend the delivery time to 10–100 h. These drug‐loaded nanotubes are doped into the polymer scaffolds to release the loaded drugs. The rough surfaces fabricated by self‐assembly of the clay nanotubes enhance the interactions with tumor cells, and the cell capture efficacy is significantly improved. Since halloysite has no toxicity toward microorganisms, the bacteria composed within these nanotubes can be explored in oil/water emulsion for petroleum spilling bioremediation. Coating of living cells with halloysite can control the cell growth and is not harmful to their viability. Quantum dots immobilized on halloysite were employed for cell labeling and imaging. The concluding academic results combined with the abundant availability of these natural nanotubes promise halloysite applications in personal healthcare and environmental remediation.

Copolymer/Clay Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications

“…[ 19 ] Gaharwar et al [ 20 ] reviewed the potential of laponite nanoclay and its nanocomposites for additive manufacturing and regenerative medicine. Liu et al [ 21 ] reported an overview of halloysite nanotubes and respective nanocomposites for various biomedical applications such as drug delivery, biosensing, and bone regeneration. Chimene et al [ 22 ] extensively reviewed nanoclay reinforced hydrogels as bioinks for 3D bioprinting.…”

Layered composite based on halloysite and natural polymers: a carrier for the pH controlled release of drugs

“…[9][10][11] Biohybrid materials with variable structures and morphologies were successfully prepared by the assembly of natural polymers and inorganic particles. [12][13][14] Nowadays, these systems are attracting the attention of material scientists and engineers due to their wide applications including biomedical technology, catalysis, remediation, cultural heritage treatment and food packaging. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Recently, great efforts have been addressed to the design of biohybrid materials composed of organic moieties and inorganic clay minerals, which can present different features in terms of chemistry, aspect ratio, morphology and charge.…”

Halloysite Nanoclay/Biopolymers Composite Materials in Tissue Engineering

“…[65] Ester derivative of hyaluronic acid was used in the evaluation of the adipogenic potential for sponges with varying pore sizes and Morphology and crystal structure of HNTs: A) scanning electron, B) atomic force microscopy images, [31] and C) crystal structure. [32] Adapted with permission. [31] Copyright 2015, Springer Nature Publishing AG, [32] Copyright 2019, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.…”

“…[32] Adapted with permission. [31] Copyright 2015, Springer Nature Publishing AG, [32] Copyright 2019, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.…”

“…Morphology and crystal structure of HNTs: A) scanning electron, B) atomic force microscopy images, and C) crystal structure . Adapted with permission .…”