Silicon nanostructures and nanocomposites for antibacterial and theranostic applications

Silicon (Si) nanomaterials are extensively explored to address the multidrug resistance bacteria/diseases and to enable developments of novel and innovative approaches for next-generation highly efficient, cost-effective, and reliable multifunctional biomedical tools. This article reviews the contemporary developments in the utilization of Si nanostructures (Si-NSs) and nanocomposites for antibacterial surfaces and theranostic agents as powerful instruments to tackle pathogenic bacteria and diseases related to them. Realization of nature-inspired antibac-terial surfaces, photoresponsive smart antibacterial surfaces, and selective functionality of Si-NSs has been dis-cussed by biomedical imaging and drug delivery applications of Si-NSs. Photoresponsive Si nanocomposite systems enable in-situ non-invasive process monitoring utilizing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) or photothermal imaging phenomenon is also addressed. Finally, crucial challenges and several research trends of implementing Si-NSs and their hybrid systems as multifunctional platforms for advanced biomedical tools and their clinical translation are highlighted.

Automated summary

This article reviews the contemporary developments in the utilization of silicon nanostructures and nanocomposites for antibacterial surfaces and theranostic agents. The realization of nature-inspired antibacterial surfaces, photoresponsive smart antibacterial surfaces, and selective functionality of silicon nanostructures has been discussed. In addition, the capability of photoresponsive silicon nanocomposite systems for in-situ non-invasive process monitoring has been addressed.