Two-dimensional nanostructures for biomedical applications

Abstract Hybrid nanostructured thin films (nanosheets) have emerged as a composite material for a variety of utilities cutting across multiple disciplines in chemistry and materials science. Metallic nanoparticle–seeded thin film and their composites present a huge potential as a chemical/biological sensing materials due to their unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, ease of functionalization, and flexibility. In this chapter, we address the material properties and architectural dimension of nanosheets, and we discuss how liquid phase exfoliation processes contribute to the reversible switching from two-dimensional (nanosheets) nanostructure to one-dimensional (1D) (nanoscrolls) morphology. Especially, tuning the dimensions of the 1D materials could enable them to trap specific molecules, ions, drugs, biomolecules. Nanoscrolls also have the potential to be used as biochemical sensors, drug delivery vehicles, and molecular imaging platforms. Furthermore, decorating billions of nanoparticles together on nanosheets could enhance their properties, as the complexity increases. We believe this review will provide a critical insight for harnessing complex nanoscrolls as a suitable “smart” biomedical platform for different purposes such as clinical diagnostics, drug delivery, imaging agent.