Biomedical Applications of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanotechnology has witnessed tremendous advancement over the last several decades. Zinc oxide (ZnO), which can exhibit a wide variety of nanostructures, possesses unique semiconducting, optical, and piezoelectric properties hence has been investigated for a wide variety of applications. One of the most important features of ZnO nanomaterials is low toxicity and biodegradability. Zn2+ is an indispensable trace element for adults (~10 mg of Zn2+ per day is recommended) and it is involved in various aspects of metabolism. Chemically, the surface of ZnO is rich in -OH groups, which can be readily functionalized by various surface decorating molecules. In this review article, we summarized the current status of the use of ZnO nanomaterials for biomedical applications, such as biomedical imaging (which includes fluorescence, magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, as well as dual-modality imaging), drug delivery, gene delivery, and biosensing of a wide array of molecules of interest. Research in biomedical applications of ZnO nanomaterials will continue to flourish over the next decade, and much research effort will be needed to develop biocompatible/biodegradable ZnO nanoplatforms for potential clinical translation.

Antibacterial Activity and Biocompability of Zinc Oxide and Graphite Particles as Endodontic Materials

“…ZnO is an environmental-friendly material which has been used in medical applications such as cancer treatments and DNA detection 27,28) , and nowadays is widely being studied for dental applications 29,30) . In endodontic treatment, it is well known that particle size plays a key role on root canal disinfection.…”

Down-top nanofabrication of binary (CdO)_x&nbsp;<br />(ZnO)_1-x&nbsp;nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity

“…40 =29,000 g/mol)), and deionized water as solvents were used as the starting raw materials. In this work, chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Co., (St Louis, MO, USA); they were of standard research grade and were used without further purification.…”

“…35,36 Antibacterial activity, catalysis, gas sensors, and diodes are further examples of suitable applications. [37][38][39][40] Different ZnO nanomaterial forms (such as nanorods, 41,42 nanotubes and nanowires, 43,44 nanocrystals, 45,46 nanoclusters, 47 nanofibers, 48,49 and numerous forms nanostructures) have been produced by using various methods whereas these materials revealed that different characteristics allowed for several applications to be practically produced. 50,51 As can be seen from literature, several techniques such as precipitation, 52 microwave hydrothermal, 53 sonochemical, 54,55 solvothermal, 56 chemical, 57,58 thermal treatment, 59 and sol-gel 60,61 can be used to create ZnO nanomaterials.…”

Environmentally Benign Solar degradation of Methylene Blue dye using Green synthesized ZnO Nanoparticle

“…Nanostructured ZnO possess high surface area, good chemical stability and nontoxic 27 . The bio synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are trusted to be friendly with the environment, bio safe and biocompatible 28 . It also has bio medical application as drug carriers 29 , used in cosmetics and as fillers in medical materials 30,31 .…”