Surface Functionalization of 2D MOs for Enhanced Biocompatibility and Biomedical Applications

Metal oxides (MOs) like titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and iron oxide (Fe2O3) possess unique characteristics such as high surface area, biocompatibility, and biodegradability that render them valuable in biomedicine. However, their innate toxicity limits their usage in biomedical applications. Surface functionalization techniques such as coating, grafting, and doping can modify the surface of 2D MOs, thereby enhancing their biocompatibility, reducing their toxicity, and improving their selectivity towards biological entities. Moreover, surface functionalization can boost the stability and durability of these nanomaterials, thereby making them suitable for prolonged biomedical applications. This paper presents a review of the current state of surface functionalization techniques for 2D MOs and their potential applications in drug delivery, imaging, and biosensors. The findings of this chapter will give a future prospective related to the usage of 2D MOs in biomedical application, especially in vivo in a more efficient and targeted manner, providing opportunities to advance biomedical applications.