Nanomaterials: An Introduction
17
11 Challenges and Future Trends in Using Nanomaterials
in Humans
Nanotechnology-based production uses minimal human resources, land, maintenance, and it is cost-effective, high productivity with modest requirements of materials and energy. The extensively growing field offers scientists and engineers an
excellent opportunity to manipulate or alter the nanoscale materials to yield benefit
of enhanced material characteristics like increased strength, lightweight, higher electrical conductivity, and chemical activity in comparison to their large-scale counterparts. However, for biomedical applications, the toxicity evaluation of nanomaterials
should be performed. Broadly, detailed physicochemical characterization of nanomaterial should be performed before and during any toxicity study. Essential properties
can control nanomaterial-induced toxicity, including size and shape of the nanomaterials, coating, chemical composition, crystal growth, nanomaterials purity, structure,
surface area, surface chemistry, surface charge, agglomeration, and solubility should
also be taken care. Measurements should be performed in a sufficiently stable state
of nanomaterials in the most suitable test medium, i.e., aggregation status and ion
release from metallic nanomaterials. Various engineered materials should be tested
for their multidisciplinary tiered toxicity using diverse models and experiments [165,
166]. Therefore, the first step in genotoxicity is an assessment of the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. The validation of the proposed tiered approaches
still waits for the future. The researchers are continuously trying to increase the relevant database with an increasing number of publications (papers, reviews, or even
patents) every year [167], particularly the market share of the nanotechnology products is also growing up to thousands of billions of Euros [168]. Balanced use of the
nanotechnologies/nanomaterials must be arranged to optimize the opportunities/risks
factors.
Further studies related to the influence of size and shape, capping agents, receptors immobilization onto the metal nanoparticles are still necessary. Varying sizes
can tune surface plasmon resonance, the shape of the nanomaterials and different
surface functionalization of both silver and gold nanoparticles can reduce the toxicity and enhance a variety of biomedical applications in the future. For example, CNT
toxicity can be reduced via functionalization, surface coating, and stimulation of the
autophagic flux. The amino functionalization decreases the CNT toxicity to the cells
[169] and albumin coating for SWCNTs [170]. We have summarized some comparative points about the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology discussed
throughout our review in the form of the following Table 1.
12 Conclusions
Nanoparticles can enter and get distributed around the human body very easily. After
entering into humans, it moves within the body and creates cellular toxicity. Then
it attacks the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, brain, skin, gut, and other
17
11 Challenges and Future Trends in Using Nanomaterials
in Humans
Nanotechnology-based production uses minimal human resources, land, maintenance, and it is cost-effective, high productivity with modest requirements of materials and energy. The extensively growing field offers scientists and engineers an
excellent opportunity to manipulate or alter the nanoscale materials to yield benefit
of enhanced material characteristics like increased strength, lightweight, higher electrical conductivity, and chemical activity in comparison to their large-scale counterparts. However, for biomedical applications, the toxicity evaluation of nanomaterials
should be performed. Broadly, detailed physicochemical characterization of nanomaterial should be performed before and during any toxicity study. Essential properties
can control nanomaterial-induced toxicity, including size and shape of the nanomaterials, coating, chemical composition, crystal growth, nanomaterials purity, structure,
surface area, surface chemistry, surface charge, agglomeration, and solubility should
also be taken care. Measurements should be performed in a sufficiently stable state
of nanomaterials in the most suitable test medium, i.e., aggregation status and ion
release from metallic nanomaterials. Various engineered materials should be tested
for their multidisciplinary tiered toxicity using diverse models and experiments [165,
166]. Therefore, the first step in genotoxicity is an assessment of the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. The validation of the proposed tiered approaches
still waits for the future. The researchers are continuously trying to increase the relevant database with an increasing number of publications (papers, reviews, or even
patents) every year [167], particularly the market share of the nanotechnology products is also growing up to thousands of billions of Euros [168]. Balanced use of the
nanotechnologies/nanomaterials must be arranged to optimize the opportunities/risks
factors.
Further studies related to the influence of size and shape, capping agents, receptors immobilization onto the metal nanoparticles are still necessary. Varying sizes
can tune surface plasmon resonance, the shape of the nanomaterials and different
surface functionalization of both silver and gold nanoparticles can reduce the toxicity and enhance a variety of biomedical applications in the future. For example, CNT
toxicity can be reduced via functionalization, surface coating, and stimulation of the
autophagic flux. The amino functionalization decreases the CNT toxicity to the cells
[169] and albumin coating for SWCNTs [170]. We have summarized some comparative points about the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology discussed
throughout our review in the form of the following Table 1.
12 Conclusions
Nanoparticles can enter and get distributed around the human body very easily. After
entering into humans, it moves within the body and creates cellular toxicity. Then
it attacks the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, brain, skin, gut, and other