31-08-2017, 12:05 PM
Supercritical Fluid Technology (SCF) has become an important material processing tool in the last two decades. Supercritical CO (2) and H (2) O are widely used in the preparation of a wide variety of nanomaterials. The greatest requirement in the application of nanomaterials is its size and morphology control, which determines the potential of application of nanoparticles, since their properties vary significantly with size. Although the importance of SCF technology has been described previously by several authors, the importance of this technology for the manufacture of inorganic and hybrid nanomaterials in biomedical applications has not been thoroughly discussed. This review systematically presents the preparation of nanomaterials using SCF technology with reference to the processing of biomedical materials. The basic principles of each of the processes have been described in detail giving their merits and perspectives. Actual experimental data and results have been discussed in detail with respect to nanomaterials selected for biomedical applications. Synthesis of SCF nanoparticles such as phosphors, magnetic materials, carbon nanotubes, etc. have been discussed as they have potential applications in bioimaging, hyperthermia, cancer therapy, neutron capture therapy, targeted drug delivery systems and so on. successively. The most recent approach to in situ surface modification, dispersibility, formation of individual nanocrystals and morphological control of nanoparticles has been discussed in detail.