Advanced Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications: Synthesis, Characterization, and Future Directions in Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, and Diagnostics

Abstract: Nanocomposites represent a category of materials that have unique properties, surpassing those of conventional composites. The biomedical uses of polymer-based, ceramic-based, carbon-based, and hybrid nanocomposites are thoroughly examined in this review. Particularly in 3D-printed scaffolds, polymer nanocomposites enriched with nanofillers like graphene and MXenes exhibit exceptional properties for advanced drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. Zirconia and alumina-based ceramic nanocomposites are chemically, thermally, and impactresistant, making them suitable for biosensing and promoting bone tissue growth, among other applications. Graphene derivatives and carbon nanotubes are carbon nanocomposites with high strength, biocompatibility, and advantages in drug delivery directly to the target and bioimaging. Hybrid nanocomposites contain either the organic or inorganic phases and have a wide variety of opportunities for biological applications (e.g., efficient drug delivery, anticancer therapy). Advanced nanocomposites are being synthesized using top-down and bottom-up approaches to study their effect on structure and functionality methodologies to allow new approaches in organic/ glassy nanocomposites. Advanced characterization approaches, such as electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and mechanical testing, complement this information on their character. The significance of biocompatibility and toxicity is also included, underscoring the challenge of translating to the clinic. This paper discusses the disruptive potential of nanocomposites in medication delivery, diagnostics, cancer therapeutics, and tissue engineering. Nevertheless, to some extent, addressing scalability, regulatory, and biocompatibility issues is necessary to enable the incorporation of these systems into next-generation biomedical systems.