Microwave chemistry and microwave-assisted synthesis of nanomaterials in biomedicine: a focused review

Abstract

The relentless surge in the demand for novel materials has driven the development of innovative fabrication methodologies that are motivated by minimized energy utilization and sustainable chemical processing as researchers are increasingly compelled to adopt more environmentally benign fabrication methods. To align with the principles of green chemistry, microwave-assisted synthesis (MAS) has been marked as one of the well-established technologies in various research fields. This review emphasizes on the MAS of nanomaterials (NMs) while concentrating on its biomedical applications. In this perspective, we delve into the basis of the MAS of NMs while highlighting the mechanism of heating involved in MAS. Compared with the existing reviews in this field, this review aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory parameters, such as the choice of solvent, frequency, power, and irradiation time in designing the MAS of NMs. This review argues for a multidimensional property assessment on the selection of NMs and MAS-linked parameters to establish the targeted biomedical applications, such as cancer therapy, drug delivery, and tissue engineering (2019–2025), which is unique to this review compared with the existing ones. Finally, this review spotlights some key factors to be considered to increase the yield, purity, and efficiency of NMs fabricated via MAS. This perspective is aimed at offering a critical analysis of MAS and its utilization to supplement the synthesis of green and sustainable materials.