Multifunctional phosphate-based inorganic-organic hybrid nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Inorganic-organic hybrid nanoparticles (IOH-NPs) are emerging materials with tunable properties.
• Phosphate-based IOH-NPs offer a versatile platform for incorporating diverse functional groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize multifunctional phosphate-based IOH-NPs.
• To explore the potential of IOH-NPs for fluorescence, drug delivery, and CO2 capture applications.

Main Methods:

• Non-complex synthesis of IOH-NPs in aqueous media.
• Incorporation of fluorescent dye anions ([RdyeOPO3](2-)) for optical properties.
• Loading of pharmaceutical agents ([RdrugOPO3](2-)) for drug delivery.
• Functionalization with amine-based anions for CO2 sorption.

Main Results:

• IOH-NPs ([ZrO](2+)[RdyeOPO3](2-)) exhibited blue, green, red, and near-infrared fluorescence.
• Drug-loaded IOH-NPs ([ZrO](2+)[RdrugOPO3](2-)) demonstrated up to 80% active drug load for anti-inflammatory and antitumor agents.
• Combined drug-dye IOH-NPs ([ZrO](2+)([RdrugOPO3]1-x[RdyeOPO3]x)(2-)) were synthesized for theranostic applications.
• Amine-functionalized IOH-NPs ([MgO](2+)[RaminePO3](2-)) showed significant CO2 sorption (up to 180 mg g(-1)) and CO2/N2 separation selectivity (up to α = 23).

Conclusions:

• Phosphate-based IOH-NPs exhibit remarkable multifunctionality, including fluorescence, drug delivery, and CO2 capture.
• Simple, water-based synthesis facilitates practical handling and biomedical applications.
• These versatile IOH-NPs hold significant promise for theranostics and environmental applications.