Innovative Surface Engineering of Magnetic/Non-Magnetic Nanomaterials

In our lab, we focused on both synthesis of functionalized magnetic NPs and surface modification/engineering of both tungsten disulfide nanotubes and Nano-Diamonds. These set of functional NPs are nontoxic/biocompatible and has a high potential as drug delivery systems, with an important capability of imaging (MRI, X-ray, Fluorescence, … etc.). So far, we focused on the following topics, the use of magnetically responsive NPs in cooperation with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) drug towards higher drug accumulation by magnetic targeting and therefore, a much more effective PDT output. We also developed an effective innovative nanoscale Delivery System as anti-Leishmania drug, which is based on cerium cation/complex-doped maghemite nanoparticles (Ce·ɣ-Fe2O3-NPs) that are coordinatively bound by both polyethylenemine (PEI) polymer and FDA-approved anti-leishmanial drug pentamidine. Novel surface engineering of nanodiamonds has been also innovatively discovered towards a preliminary wide range of biological and cosmetic applications. Moreover, novel functionalization of inorganic WS2 nanotubes with maghemite NPs resulted in an hybrid magnetic nanocomposite to improve anti-cancer treatment using photothermal therapy (PTT), as well as promoting nanomaterial reduced aggregation together with an additional ability for nanotube versatile second-step surface functionality/engineering.