Smart Hydrogels Meet Carbon Nanomaterials for New Frontiers in Medicine.
TL;DR: Carbon nanomaterials include diverse structures and morphologies, such as fullerenes, nano-onions, nanodots, Nanodiamonds, nanohorns, nanotubes, and graphene-based materials as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Carbon nanomaterials include diverse structures and morphologies, such as fullerenes, nano-onions, nanodots, nanodiamonds, nanohorns, nanotubes, and graphene-based materials. They have attracted great interest in medicine for their high innovative potential, owing to their unique electronic and mechanical properties. In this review, we describe the most recent advancements in their inclusion in hydrogels to yield smart systems that can respond to a variety of stimuli. In particular, we focus on graphene and carbon nanotubes, for applications that span from sensing and wearable electronics to drug delivery and tissue engineering.
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TL;DR: In this article , the authors discussed the use of nano-gels, bio-degradable, and bio-polymers manufacturing in the pharmaceutical field and discussed their applications, properties in gene delivery, smart imaging, and multivalency approach.
Abstract: In recent years, bio-based polymers have emerged as an alternative to petroleum-based polymers in various industries. The bio-based materials are made from raw materials originating from natural sources, such as starch, cellulose, chitin, or bio-degradable synthetic polymers (i.e., polycaprolactone and polylactic acid). In spite of several desirable properties of biodegradable polymers, for example, fully renewable, non-toxic. Some properties like melt and impact strength, thermal stability, permeability, and so forth, still do not meet the demands for end-use applications. One way to improve the properties of biopolymers and greatly enhance their commercial potential is to incorporate nanosized reinforcement in the polymer. The access of nano-carriers to smart polymeric and bio-materials are limited by polymerization methods. Bio-polymers are considered an alternative to petroleum-based fibers. These are directly produced by organisms. Smart nanoparticles are used in different medicines and their applications are size-dependent. Among the different techniques used for sensitivity, selectivity, and interactions among the nanoparticles. More so, different approaches were found for polymerization. Methodologies such as the preparation of nano-gels, bio-degradable, and bio-polymers manufacturing in the pharmaceutical field are discussed in detail. Their applications, properties in gene delivery, smart imaging, and multivalency approach are also highlighted.
21 citations
TL;DR: A review of the latest advancements in the area of biomolecular templates for ceria nanostructures and existing opportunities for their (bio)applications can be found in this article.
Abstract: Ceria (CeO2) nanostructures are well-known in catalysis for energy and environmental preservation and remediation. Recently, they have also been gaining momentum for biological applications in virtue of their unique redox properties that make them antioxidant or pro-oxidant, depending on the experimental conditions and ceria nanomorphology. In particular, interest has grown in the use of biotemplates to exert control over ceria morphology and reactivity. However, only a handful of reports exist on the use of specific biomolecules to template ceria nucleation and growth into defined nanostructures. This review focusses on the latest advancements in the area of biomolecular templates for ceria nanostructures and existing opportunities for their (bio)applications.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , a triple-network conductive hydrogel is fabricated by combining 2D Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets with two kinds of 1D polymer chains, polyacrylamide, and polyvinyl alcohol.
Abstract: Flexibility/wearable electronics such as strain/pressure sensors in human-machine interactions (HMI) are highly developed nowadays. However, challenges remain because of the lack of flexibility, fatigue resistance, and versatility, leading to mechanical damage to device materials during practical applications. In this work, a triple-network conductive hydrogel is fabricated by combining 2D Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets with two kinds of 1D polymer chains, polyacrylamide, and polyvinyl alcohol. The Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets act as the crosslinkers, which combine the two polymer chains of PAM and PVA via hydrogen bonds. Such a unique structure endows the hydrogel (MPP-hydrogel) with merits such as mechanical ultra-robust, super-elasticity, and excellent fatigue resistance. More importantly, the introduced Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets not only enhance the hydrogel's conductivity but help form double electric layers (DELs) between the MXene nanosheets and the free water molecules inside the MPP-hydrogel. When the MPP-hydrogel is used as the electrode of the triboelectric nanogenerator (MPP-TENG), due to the dynamic balance of the DELs under the initial potential difference generated from the contact electrification as the driving force, an enhanced electrical output of the TENG is generated. Moreover, flexible strain/pressure sensors for tiny and low-frequency human motion detection are achieved. This work demonstrates a promising flexible electronic material for e-skin and HMI.
18 citations
TL;DR: In vivo activities were conducted using a mouse full-thickness skin model, and accelerated wound healing was found without any major inflammation within 7 days with improved vascularization, suggesting these composite hydrogels might be potential wound dressing materials for biomedical applications.
Abstract: Wound healing is an important physiological process involving a series of cellular and molecular developments. A multifunctional hydrogel that prevents infection and promotes wound healing has great significance for wound healing applications in biomedical engineering. We have functionalized arabinoxylan and graphene oxide (GO) using the hydrothermal method, through cross-linking GO-arabinoxylan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to get multifunctional composite hydrogels. These composite hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, water contact angle, and mechanical testing to determine structural, morphological, wetting, and mechanical behavior, respectively. Swelling and biodegradation were also conducted in different media. The enhanced antibacterial activities were observed against different bacterial strains (E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa); anticancer activities and biocompatibility assays were found effective against U-87 and MC3T3-E1 cell lines due to the synergic effect of hydrogels. In vivo activities were conducted using a mouse full-thickness skin model, and accelerated wound healing was found without any major inflammation within 7 days with improved vascularization. From the results, these composite hydrogels might be potential wound dressing materials for biomedical applications.
17 citations
TL;DR: This review concisely discussed the preparation of CNTs-based hydrogels and their antibacterial and wound-healing applications and demonstrated superior antibacterial potential to corresponding pure polymer hydrogel.
Abstract: Biocompatible nanomaterials have attracted enormous interest for biomedical applications. Carbonaceous materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been widely explored in wound healing and other applications because of their superior physicochemical and potential biomedical properties to the nanoscale level. CNTs-based hydrogels are widely used for wound-healing and antibacterial applications. CNTs-based materials exhibited improved antimicrobial, antibacterial, adhesive, antioxidants, and mechanical properties, which are beneficial for the wound-healing process. This review concisely discussed the preparation of CNTs-based hydrogels and their antibacterial and wound-healing applications. The conductive potential of CNTs and their derivatives is discussed. It has been observed that the conductivity of CNTs is profoundly affected by their structure, temperature, and functionalization. CNTs properties can be easily modified by surface functionalization. CNTs-based composite hydrogels demonstrated superior antibacterial potential to corresponding pure polymer hydrogels. The accelerated wound healing was observed with CNTs-based hydrogels.
16 citations
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TL;DR: Applications of Fullerenes, Carbon Dots, Nanotubes, Graphene, Nanodiamonds, and Combined Superstructures.
Abstract: and Applications of Fullerenes, Carbon Dots, Nanotubes, Graphene, Nanodiamonds, and Combined Superstructures Vasilios Georgakilas,† Jason A. Perman,‡ Jiri Tucek,‡ and Radek Zboril*,‡ †Material Science Department, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece ‡Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University in Olomouc, 17 listopadu 1192/12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic
1,366 citations
TL;DR: This Outlook comprehensively summarize the classification of CDs based on the analysis of their formation mechanism, micro-/nanostructure and property features, and describe their synthetic methods and optical properties including strong absorption, photoluminescence, and phosphorescence.
Abstract: Carbon dots (CDs), as a new type of carbon-based nanomaterial, have attracted broad research interest for years, because of their diverse physicochemical properties and favorable attributes like good biocompatibility, unique optical properties, low cost, ecofriendliness, abundant functional groups (e.g., amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl), high stability, and electron mobility. In this Outlook, we comprehensively summarize the classification of CDs based on the analysis of their formation mechanism, micro-/nanostructure and property features, and describe their synthetic methods and optical properties including strong absorption, photoluminescence, and phosphorescence. Furthermore, the recent significant advances in diverse applications, including optical (sensor, anticounterfeiting), energy (light-emitting diodes, catalysis, photovoltaics, supercapacitors), and promising biomedicine, are systematically highlighted. Finally, we envisage the key issues to be challenged, future research directions, and perspectives to show a full picture of CDs-based materials.
537 citations
TL;DR: This Tutorial Review critically describes the latest developments of the graphene family materials into the biomedical field and analyzes graphene-based devices starting from graphene synthetic strategies, functionalization and processibility protocols up to the final in vitro and in vivo applications.
Abstract: The graphene family has captured the interest and the imagination of an increasing number of scientists working in different fields, ranging from composites to flexible electronics. In the area of biomedical applications, graphene is especially involved in drug delivery, biosensing and tissue engineering, with strong contributions to the whole nanomedicine area. Besides the interesting results obtained so far and the evident success, there are still many problems to solve, on the way to the manufacturing of biomedical devices, including the lack of standardization in the production of the graphene family members. Control of lateral size, aggregation state (single vs. few layers) and oxidation state (unmodified graphene vs. oxidized graphenes) is essential for the translation of this material into clinical assays. In this Tutorial Review we critically describe the latest developments of the graphene family materials into the biomedical field. We analyze graphene-based devices starting from graphene synthetic strategies, functionalization and processibility protocols up to the final in vitro and in vivo applications. We also address the toxicological impact and the limitations in translating graphene materials into advanced clinical tools. Finally, new trends and guidelines for future developments are presented.
502 citations
TL;DR: This review seeks to describe the chemical forms and functionalities of the main types of conductive polymers, as well as their synthesis methods, and expound on the plethora of biomedical applications that harbor the potential to be revolutionized by conductivepolymers.
Abstract: Research pertaining to conductive polymers has gained significant traction in recent years, and their applications range from optoelectronics to material science. For all intents and purposes, conductive polymers can be described as Nobel Prize-winning materials, given that their discoverers were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2000. In this review, we seek to describe the chemical forms and functionalities of the main types of conductive polymers, as well as their synthesis methods. We also present an in-depth analysis of composite conductive polymers that contain various nanomaterials such as graphene, fullerene, carbon nanotubes, and paramagnetic metal ions. Natural polymers such as collagen, chitosan, fibroin, and hydrogel that are structurally modified for them to be conductive are also briefly touched upon. Finally, we expound on the plethora of biomedical applications that harbor the potential to be revolutionized by conductive polymers, with a particular focus on tissue engineering, regene...
486 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of the recent research progress on antibacterial CNMs is provided, starting with a brief description of the different kinds of CNMs with respect to their physicochemical characteristics, and a detailed introduction to the various mechanisms underlying antibacterial activity.
Abstract: The emergence and global spread of bacterial resistance to currently available antibiotics underscore the urgent need for new alternative antibacterial agents. Recent studies on the application of nanomaterials as antibacterial agents have demonstrated their great potential for management of infectious diseases. Among these antibacterial nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) have attracted much attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and relatively higher biosafety. Here, a comprehensive review of the recent research progress on antibacterial CNMs is provided, starting with a brief description of the different kinds of CNMs with respect to their physicochemical characteristics. Then, a detailed introduction to the various mechanisms underlying antibacterial activity in these materials is given, including physical/mechanical damage, oxidative stress, photothermal/photocatalytic effect, lipid extraction, inhibition of bacterial metabolism, isolation by wrapping, and the synergistic effect when CNMs are used in combination with other antibacterial materials, followed by a summary of the influence of the physicochemical properties of CNMs on their antibacterial activity. Finally, the current challenges and an outlook for the development of more effective and safer antibacterial CNMs are discussed.
402 citations