Biomedical Applications of Functionalized ZnO Nanomaterials: from Biosensors to Bioimaging

The richness of the structures and properties of members of the ZnO-based nanostructure family endows these materials with diverse functionalities. In the last decade, the great potential of ZnO-based nanostructures for biomedical applications due to their unique electronic, optical, catalytical, and antimicrobial properties, as well as their excellent biocompatibility, has been recognized. The ever-deteriorating environment and the rapidly aging population have given rise to an increase in diseases, healthcare concerns and medical costs, particularly in developing countries, which has led to a high demand for better and lower-cost biomedical devices with novel biofunctionalities. Here, we review the recent advances in research on nanostructured ZnO-based biomaterials that have been developed for biomedical applications, such as in biosensorsing, tissue regeneration, bioimaging and drug delivery.