and poly(glycolide) (PGA) because these materials have biocompatible and biodegradable properties as well as low toxicity. Table 6 describes the use of IONPs in a
polymer matrix.
3.3 Silica Nanoparticles
Silica nanoparticles have been widely used as fillers in the manufacture of coatings
[103], rubber [104], plastics [105], binders [106], functional fibers [107], etc. In
recent years, the preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid materials composed of
polymers and functionalized silica nanoparticles has been widely investigated. The
combination of organic polymer components with nanometer-sized silica fillers in a
single material has extraordinary significance for the development of hybrid
materials with unique properties.
Recently, the straightforward synthesis and easy modification of silica
nanoparticles has been demonstrated, making them well suitable for biomedical
applications such as bioseparation, cell recognition, bacterium and DNA detection,
gene delivery, and so on. Silica nanoparticles are biologically inert, have very low
toxicity, and are amenable to surface functionalization with a wide variety of
molecules and functional groups [108–111]. In Table 7, the synthetic methods for
preparation of silica nanoparticles in polymers are shown.
3.4 Carbon-Based Nanomaterials
3.4.1 Carbon Nanotubes
Among all the carbon nanostructures (e.g., fullerene and graphene), the carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) are probably the most studied and used in different applications.
CNTs can be classified according to their superstructures into two types:
(a) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or double-walled carbon nanotubes
[126], which are composed of multiple layers of concentric cylinders with a spacing
of about 0.34 nm between the adjacent layers; and (b) single-walled carbon
nanotubes (SWCNTs), which consists of single layers of graphene sheets seamlessly rolled into cylindrical tubes.
CNTs are very difficult to dissolve or disperse in most organic or aqueous
solutions. Thus, it is necessary to modify or functionalize CNTs. The functionalization of CNTs can be carried out by covalent functionalization or by noncovalent
functionalization.
Meso–meso linked diporphyrins ([H 2 Por] 2 ) covalently functionalized soluble
single-walled carbon nanotubes ([H 2 Por] 2 -SWCNTs) have been successfully
prepared [127]. As a light-harvesting chromophore, meso–meso linked diporphyrins have been incorporated into a photosynthetic electron-transfer model with
14
P. Dutta et al.
polymer matrix.
3.3 Silica Nanoparticles
Silica nanoparticles have been widely used as fillers in the manufacture of coatings
[103], rubber [104], plastics [105], binders [106], functional fibers [107], etc. In
recent years, the preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid materials composed of
polymers and functionalized silica nanoparticles has been widely investigated. The
combination of organic polymer components with nanometer-sized silica fillers in a
single material has extraordinary significance for the development of hybrid
materials with unique properties.
Recently, the straightforward synthesis and easy modification of silica
nanoparticles has been demonstrated, making them well suitable for biomedical
applications such as bioseparation, cell recognition, bacterium and DNA detection,
gene delivery, and so on. Silica nanoparticles are biologically inert, have very low
toxicity, and are amenable to surface functionalization with a wide variety of
molecules and functional groups [108–111]. In Table 7, the synthetic methods for
preparation of silica nanoparticles in polymers are shown.
3.4 Carbon-Based Nanomaterials
3.4.1 Carbon Nanotubes
Among all the carbon nanostructures (e.g., fullerene and graphene), the carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) are probably the most studied and used in different applications.
CNTs can be classified according to their superstructures into two types:
(a) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or double-walled carbon nanotubes
[126], which are composed of multiple layers of concentric cylinders with a spacing
of about 0.34 nm between the adjacent layers; and (b) single-walled carbon
nanotubes (SWCNTs), which consists of single layers of graphene sheets seamlessly rolled into cylindrical tubes.
CNTs are very difficult to dissolve or disperse in most organic or aqueous
solutions. Thus, it is necessary to modify or functionalize CNTs. The functionalization of CNTs can be carried out by covalent functionalization or by noncovalent
functionalization.
Meso–meso linked diporphyrins ([H 2 Por] 2 ) covalently functionalized soluble
single-walled carbon nanotubes ([H 2 Por] 2 -SWCNTs) have been successfully
prepared [127]. As a light-harvesting chromophore, meso–meso linked diporphyrins have been incorporated into a photosynthetic electron-transfer model with
14
P. Dutta et al.