Title:A Review of Titanium Di Oxide Nanoparticles - Synthesis, Applications and Toxicity Concerns
Volume: 4
Issue: 2
Author(s): Kaushita Banerjee and Padma Thiagarajan
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cosmoceutics, nanotechnology, nanotoxicity, titanium dioxide nanoparticles.
Abstract: Engineered nanomaterials in the 21st century have revolutionized all dimensions of life and Titanium di oxide
nanoparticles are one such important materials, which are being increasingly used for a variety of clinical, cosmoceutical,
pharmaceutical, optical and other commercial applications. Their versatile applications are mainly due to the large
surface-to-volume ratio and unique physico-chemical, mechanical and electrical properties. Employing them in varied
fields has no doubt proved to be beneficial, but on the other side are the toxicity concerns. Extensive use has lead to their
considerable accumulation in the environment causing ecological imbalance and upsetting the normal flora and fauna
residing therein. It is therefore very vital to heed to the recent alerts sounded on their toxic biological effects on the
ecosystem and food chains. Further, the effect of these particles of live cells and tissues, both short and long term, also
remains to be studied and validated. These wonder particles are too valuable to be discarded, even if deleterious and
hence, the balancing of their benign and hazardous effects may be need of the hour. In this paper, the viable synthetic
methods available today for their preparation, both chemical and biological routes are reviewed, along with their versatile
applications. Further, the emerging mechanisms for elucidating their toxicity and possible means for their remediation are
also discussed.
