Fundamentals of Nanoparticles

Classifications, Synthesis Methods, Properties and Characterization

Abdel Salam Hamdy Makhlouf, Ahmed Barhoum

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9780323512558
• eBook ISBN: 9780128135174
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Nanoscience
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Fundamentals of Nanoparticles: Classifications, Synthesis Methods, Properties and Characterization explores the nanoparticles and architecture of nanostructured materials being used today in a comprehensive, detailed manner. This book focuses primarily on the characterization, properties and synthesis of nanoscale materials, and is divided into three major parts. This is a valuable reference for materials scientists, and chemical and mechanical engineers working in R&D and academia, who want to learn more about how nanoparticles and nanomaterials are characterized and engineered.Part one covers nanoparticles formation, self-assembly in the architecture nanostructures, types and classifications of nanoparticles, and signature physical and chemical properties, toxicity and regulations. Part two presents different ways to form nanometer particles, including bottom-up and top-down approaches, the classical and non-classical theories of nanoparticles formation and self-assembly, surface functionalization and other surface treatments to allow practical use. Part three covers characterization of nanoparticles and nanostructured materials, including the determination of size and shape, in addition to atomic and electronic structures and other important properties.- Includes new physical and chemical techniques for the synthesis of nanoparticles and architecture nanostructures- Features an in-depth treatment of nanoparticles and nanostructures, including their characterization and chemical and physical properties- Explores the unusual properties of materials that are developed by modifying their shape and composition and by manipulating the arrangement of atoms and molecules- Explains important techniques for the synthesis, fabrication and the characterization of complex nano-architectures

Chapter 1

Nanostructures for imaging, medical diagnostics and therapy

Juan Luis Paris^*,**

María Vallet-Regí^*,**
* Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital, Madrid, Spain
^** Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the field of nanomedicine, and the reasons behind the use of nanotechnology in medicine. A general description of the main types of nanoparticles developed for biomedical use is presented. For each type of nanoparticles, a general description with their advantages and limitations will be included, accompanied by a brief description of some important work carried out with each type. The use of nanoparticles as a diagnostic tool (in vivo imaging, as well as in vitro diagnostics) is discussed, analyzing some systems currently under evaluation and some of their limitations. After that, the use of nanoparticles for therapeutic or combined therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) use is analyzed. We evaluate pathological characteristics that can be exploited to design therapeutic nanoparticles. Several applications are discussed, such as infection or gene delivery, with special emphasis on the use of nanoparticles for cancer treatment. Regarding the biodistribution of the nanoparticles, passive and active targeting strategies are described, as well as the potential problems associated with each of them and current strategies developed to try to overcome those limitations. Then, the characteristics of nanoparticles needed to be employed for therapeutic application are indicated. Also, materials design tools aimed to improve therapeutic output, such as controlled drug delivery and stimuli-responsive materials are also described.

Keywords

nanomedicine

in vitro diagnostics

in vivo imaging

nanodrug-delivery systems

stimuli-responsive nanodevices

1. Introduction

The application of nanotechnology for diagnostic or therapeutic application is called nanomedicine [1]. Nanomedicine is an interdisciplinary field in which biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, and other disciplines are brought together in order to develop nanomaterials suitable for biomedical application [2]. Nanoparticle size (in the range from a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers) allows them to interact with biological entities in a fundamentally different manner than non-nanostructured materials [3]. Some of those size-dependent properties derive from the surface to volume ratio being much higher than for non-nanostructures materials. These properties can be exploited to design nanostructures that can be used to diagnose or treat different pathologies. Some examples would be the unique thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties that present different types of nanoparticles and that greatly differ from the properties of non-nanostructured materials with similar chemical composition [4].

The design of nanoparticles is essential to allow their correct function for biomedical application. Amongst the most important parameters to consider are nanoparticle size, chemical composition and surface characteristics [4]. For example, nanoparticle size is critical for in vivo imaging, as well as for therapeutic application of nanoparticles. As it will be explained later in this chapter, nanoparticles tend to accumulate in tumor tissue, due to an enhanced permeation and retention (EPR). In that context, if the particles are too big, they will not be able to reach the diseased tissue and, therefore, they will not achieve their function. On the other hand, if the nanoparticles are too small (less than 10 nm), they will be excreted in the urine, potentially preventing accumulation in the desired target, which would lead to, again, the material not achieving its function. For in vitro diagnostics, the size of nanoparticles is also a fundamental parameter, since it often determines the optical properties of the nanoparticle suspension (e.g., in plasmonic gold nanoparticles), and a modification in size will lead to changes in the measured response after exposure to a sample containing the analyte.

This chapter is divided in three parts. In the first one, some of the most important types of nanoparticles proposed for biomedical application will be classified based on their chemical composition. Then, the rationale for their use in medicine will be explored in two different applications, each with their needs and particularities: diagnostics (in vitro diagnostics and in vivo imaging) and therapy (or the combination of diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles:theranostics) (Fig. 1.1).

Figure 1.1 Representation of the three applications of nanostructures in medicine that will be described in this chapter: in vitro diagnostics, in vivo imaging and therapy.

2. Types of nanoparticles for nanomedicine

A wide variety of nanoparticle types have been proposed for nanomedicine, some of the most important ones are going to be highlighted in this chapter. These types of nanoparticles will be classified based on their chemical composition in organic or inorganic nanoparticles (Fig. 1.2). However, nowadays a very high percentage of the nanoparticles under evaluation are actually hybrid nanoparticles, joining organic and inorganic structures to yield multifunctional materials. These materials will be treated inside the section regarding the organic or inorganic core nanoparticle used to obtain the hybrid.

Figure 1.2 Schematic representations of some of the most important types of nanoparticles used for nanomedicine, divided by their chemical composition.

2.1. Organic nanoparticles

2.1.1. Liposomes and lipid nanoparticles

Liposomes are one of the most widely evaluated types of nanoparticles...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• Chapter 1: Nanostructures for imaging, medical diagnostics and therapy
• Chapter 2: Nature’s nanoparticles: using viruses as nanomedicines and for bioimaging
• Chapter 3: Catalytic applications of Janus nanoparticles
• Chapter 4: Tailored nanomaterials for antimicrobial applications
• Chapter 5: Nanocomposite polymer film for antibiofouling materials surfaces
• Chapter 6: Engineered nanomaterials for wastewater treatment: current and future trends
• Chapter 7: Functional thin films and nanostructures for sensors
• Chapter 8: Nanoarchitectured electrodes for supercapacitance energy storage
• Chapter 9: Engineered nanomaterials for papermaking industry
• Chapter 10: Excipients used in oral nanocarrier-based formulations
• Chapter 11: Applications of nanotechnology in construction industry
• Chapter 12: The application of ionic liquids in nanotechnology
• Chapter 13: Nanostructured self-healing polymers and composites
• Chapter 14: Drug scavenging lipid based nanoparticles as detoxifying agents in vivo
• Chapter 15: Nanostructured polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering technology
• Chapter 16: Functional thin films and nanostructures for sensors
• Chapter 17: Micro/nanocapsules for anticorrosion coatings
• Chapter 18: Nanoradiopharmaceuticals in current molecular medicine
• Chapter 19: Biological synthesis of nanoparticles: an environmentally benign approach
• Chapter 20: Recent trends in nanostructured particles: synthesis, functionalization, and applications
• Index