A review of superparamagnetic nanoparticles applications and regulatory aspects in medicine and environmental areas
Danilo W. Losito, Nicole I. N. Souza, Tereza S. Martins, Tatiane Nassar Britos, Maria Lúcia Schumacher, Paula S. Haddad
Abstract
This review paper highlights the current toxicological aspects of magnetic nanomaterials in the field of medicine and the environment, conducted through a comprehensive literature review. The main goal was to investigate and analyze the key challenges identified in the literature that enhance the effective utilization of these systems, particularly focusing on magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. We aimed to investigate the factors that influence their intended applications. We sought to understand how the characteristics of the produced NPs could be enhanced to improve their biocompatibility compared to existing samples in the literature. Moreover, we investigated morphological aspects intricately connected to physicochemical characteristics and their prospective applications in biomedicine. Additionally, we assessed the regulatory implications of nanostructured materials. Therefore, the initial aspect of this review delved into the historical evolution of nanoparticles, investigating significant milestones that have influenced the exploration of this technology. We examined the main discoveries, factors influencing the choice of synthesis methods, and the most prevalent approaches for surface functionalization employed by scientists for materials possessing superparamagnetic characteristics, such as iron oxide. The second aspect of the review focused on a survey-based exploration of the global regulation progress concerning superparamagnetic nanoparticles throughout the years. Additionally, we identified the main challenges encountered in establishing safety criteria for the diverse applications under investigation. This encompassed an assessment of the potential impacts of these materials on both human health and the environment.