Question

Q4. A company has approached you (armed with a lot of money to pay) to design a nanoparticle that will have an end-use in a bone cement. The company is not interested in your knowledge in their area, they are only interested in your well-developed materials chemistry skills.

(a) What properties should this nanoparticle have?

(b) What type of nanoparticle would you select and why?

(c) Following on from this, explain why functionalizing nanoparticles is important? Give an example.

Answer 1

a) The nanoparticle must possess anti-bacterial as well as anti-microbial properties. Because microbial as well as bacterial infections are a serious risk associated with joint replacement surgeries. Thus a nonoparticle must possess anti-bacterial as well as anti-microbial properties are used for this purpose.

b) Out of metallic nanoprticles silver nanoparticles can be used for this purpose. Because silver nanoparticles possess anti-bacterial as well as anti-microbial properties

c) Functionalization is the introduction of desired functionalities on to the surface of the nanoparticle. The functionalization of nanoparticles improves their physical and chemical properties such as stability, solubility, and targeting. Eg: Silver nanoparticles functionalised with oleic acid can be used as bone cement. That will improve the biological properties of nanoparticle as well as interation to polymer matrix used as cement for surgeries.