Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Biomater Sci. 2019 Jan 29;7(2):480-489. doi: 10.1039/c8bm01200h.
Inorganic nanomaterials have been studied extensively in recent years because of their unique physical and chemical characteristics. Moreover, ultra-small nanoclusters (USNCs), which are less than 3 nm in size, exhibit extraordinary properties different from those of larger-sized nanoparticles. For example, ultra-small iron oxide nanoclusters (NCs) show paramagnetic properties; ultra-small noble metal NCs exhibit bright fluorescence; most USNCs gain in vivo renal clearance capability to guarantee safety. Therefore, USNCs could be promising safe materials for biomedical applications. In this mini-review, we summarize recent advances in the controlled synthesis, assembly, and biomedical applications of USNCs. We also discussed future challenges and perspectives in the development of USNC-based nanomedicine.
近年来，由于其独特的物理和化学特性，无机纳米材料得到了广泛的研究。此外，超小纳米团簇（USNCs）的尺寸小于 3nm，表现出与较大尺寸的纳米粒子不同的非凡性质。例如，超小氧化铁纳米团簇（NCs）表现出顺磁性；超小贵金属 NCs 表现出明亮的荧光；大多数 USNCs 获得体内肾脏清除能力以保证安全性。因此，USNCs 可能是用于生物医学应用的有前途的安全材料。在这篇迷你综述中，我们总结了 USNCs 的可控合成、组装和生物医学应用的最新进展。我们还讨论了基于 USNC 的纳米医学发展的未来挑战和前景。
