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Author Spotlight: Metallic Nanocomposites to Eliminate Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

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Biocompatible Chitosan-Functionalized Upconverting Nanocomposites.

Hau Van Duong^1,2, Trang The Lieu Chau¹, Nhan Thi Thanh Dang³

¹Department of Chemistry, Hue University of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen Hue, Hue 530000, Vietnam.

|July 20, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed new biocompatible optical nanocomposites by combining lanthanide nanoparticles with chitosan. These advanced materials offer potential applications in biomedicine and analytical sensing due to their unique optical properties and low cytotoxicity.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

Integrating photon emission and biocompatibility in nanoparticles is crucial for advanced optical materials.
Lanthanide nanoparticles offer unique luminescence properties, while chitosan provides biocompatibility.
Developing novel nanocomposites requires combining these materials effectively for specific applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize biocompatible optical nanocomposites using near-infrared luminescent lanthanide nanoparticles and water-soluble chitosan.
To create novel optical structures like aerogels and microspheres with controlled morphology.
To investigate the potential of these nanocomposites in biomedical applications, evaluating their cytotoxicity.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4): ytterbium (Yb), erbium (Er) upconverting nanocrystals.
Preparation of water-soluble chitosan.
Integration of nanocrystals and chitosan to form optical nanocomposites, including spongelike aerogels and beadlike microspheres.
Characterization of structural properties and evaluation of cytotoxicity using half-maximal effective concentration (EC50).

Main Results:

Successfully synthesized biocompatible optical nanocomposites by combining NaYF4:Yb,Er nanocrystals with chitosan.
Fabricated novel optical structures such as spongelike aerogels and beadlike microspheres.
Demonstrated low cytotoxicity, with EC50 values of 0.58 mg mL-1 for Au/NaYF4:Yb,Er nanorods and 0.24 mg mL-1 for NaYF4:Yb,Er, indicating good biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

The synthesized biocompatible optical nanocomposites exhibit promising upconverting luminescence and low cytotoxicity.
These novel materials, particularly chitosan-stabilized gold/lanthanide nanocomposites, hold significant potential for applications in biomedicine and analytical sensing.
The ability to form diverse structures like aerogels and microspheres enhances their versatility for various advanced applications.