Nanomaterials: Surface Functionalization …
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the properties of the material for the desired applications. The recent interest in the
surface modification technique allows nanomaterials to stabilize and self-organize
within a chemical reaction, establishing an equilibrium condition in the structural
process [7, 8, 9]. Generally, simple organic groups are adequate that could prevent
the agglomeration of nanoparticles. Moreover, the use of complex functional organic
groups acts as capping agents on the particle surface that may increase the interaction of the nanoparticles with various surfaces and materials in a phase of application
[10, 11]. Typically, nanoparticles or nanomaterials used in the biotechnology area
range in particle size between 10 nm to 500 nm. These characteristics of nanosize particles accord empower them for various communications with biomolecules
that are present on the cell surfaces and within the cells in such a way that can be
decoded and designated to various physicochemical and biochemical properties of
the cells [12]. Modified nanoparticles give way for specific targeting applications
that help target systems to be more accurate for drug delivery systems, noninvasive imaging technique, and recognize the targeted cells such as cancer cells. These
attribute of modified nanoparticles gives the advantage and endless opportunities in
the field of biotechnology for molecular diagnostics and therapy [13]. These modified nanoparticles could be used as imaging probes for various applications such as
positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT),
X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical imaging, and surface-enhanced
Raman imaging (SERS), etc. [14]. To determine the extent of disease and evaluate
the effectiveness of the treatment, molecular imaging probes could be one of the
best weapons that can noninvasively provide valuable information about different
abnormalities in various body structures and organs [12]. Therefore, enabling the
short molecular imaging techniques purvey the cellular functions’ visualization,
consequently the follow-up of the molecular process in living organisms without
perturbing them [15]. Over the years, metal nanoparticles such as magnetic nanoparticles (iron oxide), gold and silver nanoparticles, Nano-shells, and Nano-cages have
taken a vital place as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent. On the other hand, to incorporate nanoparticles into functional structures, we can choose the self-assembly
process, which offers the most promising and simple method. The organic materials
grant easy to control for the self-assembly process that offers the manufacturer to
specialize in various domains such as electronics, magnetic, or photonic properties
of inorganic components to achieve advanced functionalities from materials. Consequently, these fabricated nanostructures constitute many excellent properties that
may be applicable for various potential applications and fields of industry, including
biomedicine, computers, electronics, robotics, telecommunications, transportation,
and water treat-ment, etc. Along with the ability to formulate excellent and vital
properties of materials for specialized applications, the bottom-up approaches make
this (self-assemble) fabrication method is to be the most feasible. Besides, top-down
fabrication methods and self-assembly techniques give less effort, lower cost, and
larger quantities to produce various nanostructures of different morphologies.
407
the properties of the material for the desired applications. The recent interest in the
surface modification technique allows nanomaterials to stabilize and self-organize
within a chemical reaction, establishing an equilibrium condition in the structural
process [7, 8, 9]. Generally, simple organic groups are adequate that could prevent
the agglomeration of nanoparticles. Moreover, the use of complex functional organic
groups acts as capping agents on the particle surface that may increase the interaction of the nanoparticles with various surfaces and materials in a phase of application
[10, 11]. Typically, nanoparticles or nanomaterials used in the biotechnology area
range in particle size between 10 nm to 500 nm. These characteristics of nanosize particles accord empower them for various communications with biomolecules
that are present on the cell surfaces and within the cells in such a way that can be
decoded and designated to various physicochemical and biochemical properties of
the cells [12]. Modified nanoparticles give way for specific targeting applications
that help target systems to be more accurate for drug delivery systems, noninvasive imaging technique, and recognize the targeted cells such as cancer cells. These
attribute of modified nanoparticles gives the advantage and endless opportunities in
the field of biotechnology for molecular diagnostics and therapy [13]. These modified nanoparticles could be used as imaging probes for various applications such as
positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT),
X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical imaging, and surface-enhanced
Raman imaging (SERS), etc. [14]. To determine the extent of disease and evaluate
the effectiveness of the treatment, molecular imaging probes could be one of the
best weapons that can noninvasively provide valuable information about different
abnormalities in various body structures and organs [12]. Therefore, enabling the
short molecular imaging techniques purvey the cellular functions’ visualization,
consequently the follow-up of the molecular process in living organisms without
perturbing them [15]. Over the years, metal nanoparticles such as magnetic nanoparticles (iron oxide), gold and silver nanoparticles, Nano-shells, and Nano-cages have
taken a vital place as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent. On the other hand, to incorporate nanoparticles into functional structures, we can choose the self-assembly
process, which offers the most promising and simple method. The organic materials
grant easy to control for the self-assembly process that offers the manufacturer to
specialize in various domains such as electronics, magnetic, or photonic properties
of inorganic components to achieve advanced functionalities from materials. Consequently, these fabricated nanostructures constitute many excellent properties that
may be applicable for various potential applications and fields of industry, including
biomedicine, computers, electronics, robotics, telecommunications, transportation,
and water treat-ment, etc. Along with the ability to formulate excellent and vital
properties of materials for specialized applications, the bottom-up approaches make
this (self-assemble) fabrication method is to be the most feasible. Besides, top-down
fabrication methods and self-assembly techniques give less effort, lower cost, and
larger quantities to produce various nanostructures of different morphologies.