A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future Challenges
Niobium nanoparticles (NbNPs) have gained attention as promising materials in biomedical applications due to their exceptional biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and versatility. These nanoparticles offer potential in drug delivery, imaging, and tissue engineering, where their nanoscale propert...
Saved in:
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
Series: | Nanomaterials |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/2/106 |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
_version_ | 1832587783408975872 |
---|---|
author | Muhammad Usman Khalid Austeja Rudokaite Alessandro Marcio Hakme da Silva Monika Kirsnyte-Snioke Arunas Stirke Wanessa C. M. A. Melo |
author_facet | Muhammad Usman Khalid Austeja Rudokaite Alessandro Marcio Hakme da Silva Monika Kirsnyte-Snioke Arunas Stirke Wanessa C. M. A. Melo |
author_sort | Muhammad Usman Khalid |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Niobium nanoparticles (NbNPs) have gained attention as promising materials in biomedical applications due to their exceptional biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and versatility. These nanoparticles offer potential in drug delivery, imaging, and tissue engineering, where their nanoscale properties allow precise interactions with biological systems. Among niobium-based nanomaterials, niobium pentoxide (Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>) is the most extensively studied due to its chemical stability, bioactivity, and optical properties. Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> nanoparticles have shown significant potential in catalysis, biosensing, and photodynamic therapy, as their stability and reactivity make them ideal for functionalization in advanced biomedical applications. Despite these advantages, challenges remain regarding the biodegradability and long-term retention of NbNPs in biological systems. Their accumulation in tissues can lead to risks such as chronic inflammation or toxicity, emphasizing the importance of designing nanoparticles with controlled clearance and biodegradability. Surface modifications, such as coatings with biocompatible polymers, have demonstrated the ability to mitigate these risks while enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of NbNPs, with a focus on Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, highlighting their unique properties, current biomedical applications, and limitations. By addressing the remaining challenges, this work aims to guide the development of safer and more effective niobium-based nanomaterials for future medical innovations. |
format | Article |
id | doaj-art-0c8bd76b642243fa9821292365901719 |
institution | Kabale University |
issn | 2079-4991 |
language | English |
publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Nanomaterials |
spelling | doaj-art-0c8bd76b642243fa98212923659017192025-01-24T13:44:09ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-01-0115210610.3390/nano15020106A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future ChallengesMuhammad Usman Khalid0Austeja Rudokaite1Alessandro Marcio Hakme da Silva2Monika Kirsnyte-Snioke3Arunas Stirke4Wanessa C. M. A. Melo5Department of Functional Materials and Electronics, State Research Institute Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), 10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaDepartment of Functional Materials and Electronics, State Research Institute Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), 10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaBioengineering Graduate Program, Scientific and Technological Institute, Brazil University, São Paulo 05508-220, BrazilDepartment of Functional Materials and Electronics, State Research Institute Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), 10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaDepartment of Functional Materials and Electronics, State Research Institute Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), 10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaDepartment of Functional Materials and Electronics, State Research Institute Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), 10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaNiobium nanoparticles (NbNPs) have gained attention as promising materials in biomedical applications due to their exceptional biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and versatility. These nanoparticles offer potential in drug delivery, imaging, and tissue engineering, where their nanoscale properties allow precise interactions with biological systems. Among niobium-based nanomaterials, niobium pentoxide (Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>) is the most extensively studied due to its chemical stability, bioactivity, and optical properties. Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> nanoparticles have shown significant potential in catalysis, biosensing, and photodynamic therapy, as their stability and reactivity make them ideal for functionalization in advanced biomedical applications. Despite these advantages, challenges remain regarding the biodegradability and long-term retention of NbNPs in biological systems. Their accumulation in tissues can lead to risks such as chronic inflammation or toxicity, emphasizing the importance of designing nanoparticles with controlled clearance and biodegradability. Surface modifications, such as coatings with biocompatible polymers, have demonstrated the ability to mitigate these risks while enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of NbNPs, with a focus on Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, highlighting their unique properties, current biomedical applications, and limitations. By addressing the remaining challenges, this work aims to guide the development of safer and more effective niobium-based nanomaterials for future medical innovations.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/2/106nanomaterialsniobiumdrug deliveryinfection treatmentbiomedical application |
spellingShingle | Muhammad Usman Khalid Austeja Rudokaite Alessandro Marcio Hakme da Silva Monika Kirsnyte-Snioke Arunas Stirke Wanessa C. M. A. Melo A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future Challenges Nanomaterials nanomaterials niobium drug delivery infection treatment biomedical application |
title | A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future Challenges |
title_full | A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future Challenges |
title_fullStr | A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future Challenges |
title_full_unstemmed | A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future Challenges |
title_short | A Comprehensive Review of Niobium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Applications in Health Sciences, and Future Challenges |
title_sort | comprehensive review of niobium nanoparticles synthesis characterization applications in health sciences and future challenges |
topic | nanomaterials niobium drug delivery infection treatment biomedical application |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/2/106 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT muhammadusmankhalid acomprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT austejarudokaite acomprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT alessandromarciohakmedasilva acomprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT monikakirsnytesnioke acomprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT arunasstirke acomprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT wanessacmamelo acomprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT muhammadusmankhalid comprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT austejarudokaite comprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT alessandromarciohakmedasilva comprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT monikakirsnytesnioke comprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT arunasstirke comprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges AT wanessacmamelo comprehensivereviewofniobiumnanoparticlessynthesischaracterizationapplicationsinhealthsciencesandfuturechallenges |