Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials beyond Graphene for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials (e.g., graphene) have shown to have a high potential in future biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties such as unusual electrical conductivity, high biocompatibility, large surface area, and extraordinary thermal and mechanical properties. Although the potential of graphene as the most common 2D nanomaterials in biomedical applications has been extensively investigated, the practical use of other nanoengineered 2D materials beyond graphene such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), topological insulators (TIs), phosphorene, antimonene, bismuthene, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MXenes for biomedical applications have not been appreciated so far. This review highlights not only the unique opportunities of 2D nanomaterials beyond graphene in various biomedical research areas such as bioelectronics, imaging, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine but also addresses the risk factors and challenges ahead from the medical perspective and clinical translation of nanoengineered 2D materials. In conclusion, the perspectives and future roadmap of nanoengineered 2D materials beyond graphene are outlined for biomedical applications.

Advances in Biologically Applicable Graphene-Based 2D Nanomaterials

“… Potential biomedical applications of two-dimensional graphene-based nanomaterials. Adapted from [ 17 ], copyright 2022, MDPI. …”

“…The history of 2D-NMs begins in 2004, when Novoselov et al [ 5 ] prepared graphene (GR) from graphite. GR is a single-carbon crystalline-carbon film, with various unexpected/unique properties (high surface area [ 6 , 7 ], excellent electrical conductivity [ 8 ], strong mechanical strength [ 9 , 10 ], and thermal conductivity [ 11 ]), plus, especially, the fact that it can be easily functionalized and modified [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Further research has led to the discovery of a large number of other 2D-NMs [ 18 ], such as graphitic-carbon nitride [ 19 , 20 , 21 ], silicate clays [ 22 , 23 ], layered double hydroxides [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], transition-metal dichalcogenides [ 27 , 28 ], etc.…”

“…It is important to mention that graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have their own antimicrobial and anticancer activity and are also used for tissue engineering [ 36 , 37 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Their 2D nanostructure gives these NMs special physicochemical properties and biological behaviors, such as cell entry through endocytosis, as well as specific biodistribution, biodegradation, and excretion, which lead to their use in various biomedical applications [ 17 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ] as well as for the treatment of plants [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ].…”

New Polymeric Composites Based on Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications

“…As previously stated, graphene is one of the most studied 2D nanomaterials for biomedical applications. It has electrical conductivity, antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and mechanical stiffness, which are all desirable aspects for various biomedical applications [ 63 ]. Its thorough investigation has unquestionably opened doors for the research of other 2D nanomaterials.…”

“…Photodynamic therapy relies on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cell death [ 64 ]. Like graphene, TMDs can increase ROS levels and they have the advantage of possessing decreased cytotoxicity, alongside BP [ 63 , 65 ]. Tunable bandgap is one major advantage that other 2DnMat have set side-by-side to graphene, which has a bandgap of 0 eV.…”