Biomedical-related applications of functionalized nanomaterials

Abstract

This book chapter provides an overview on the use of nanoparticles in the biomedical field. Nanomaterials have been a topic of research due to their unique properties, which have shown to be of crucial relevance towards the development of innovative technologies within the biomedical field. Nanoparticles (NPs) can be prepared from a wide diversity of materials and modified with a plethora of functional groups or ligands, allowing them to display specific properties and to be applied in a range of applications. In this book chapter, both the methods to functionalize nanoparticles and their applications in the biomedical field are overviewed. Metal-based, silica and carbon NPs, and their use in membranes, are described. Since drug delivery systems are the main application of functionalized nanoparticles, a specific section devoted to this topic is also presented.