Nanotechnology is one of the most promising new technologies in the recent
decade, which involves structures, devices, and systems with novel properties and
functions due to their atomic arrangement on scales of 1–100 nm. In general, the
materials at the nanoscale have unique physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological
properties compared to their bulk materials. Thus, these properties lead to a new
novelty and variety of technological applications in the different fields (physics,
science and engineering, electrical and computer science, materials, chemistry, biology,
and medicine). This chapter provides a brief introduction of nanotechnology,
nanomaterials, and their applications while discussing structural, optical, and magnetic
properties as well as antibacterial activities. This chapter overviews the current
research being carried out on the properties and application of metal oxide
nanoparticles, especially chromium oxide (Cr2O3
) nanoparticles, indium oxide
nanoparticles (In2O3
), and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. These materials are
considered novel materials for biological and smart applications, such as antimicrobial,
drug delivery systems, and cancer therapy. Multi-drug and antibiotic resistance are
among the great challenges that confront researchers in designing and developing
efficient antimicrobial and biomedical agents. Inspired by the remarkable
developments in nanoparticles in recent times, antibacterial metal oxide nanoparticles
have been discovered as potential antibiotics to restrict infectious diseases. Thus, the
mechanism of anti-microbial activities of metal oxide nanoparticles is discussed here in
detail. In this chapter, a brief literature survey related to the present study is also
performed. By the end of the chapter, the concluding remarks with views on the recent
progress and future challenges of metal oxide nanoparticles are appended.
Keywords: Antimicrobial activities, Chromium oxide, Indium oxide, Metal oxide nanoparticles, Magnesium oxide nanoparticles, Magnetic properties, Nanotechnology, Optical properties
