**4. Classification of nanoparticles**

Based on core synthesis materials, nanoparticles are categorized into various types such as (a) protein nanoparticles (PrNPs), (b) polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), (c) organic nanoparticles (ONPs), (d) inorganic nanoparticles (INPs),

(e) metal nanoparticles (MNPs), (f) metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs), (g) amino acid-based nanoparticles (AANPs), (h) ceramic nanoparticles (CNPs), (i) hydrogel nanoparticles (HNPs), (j) solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLNPs), etc. [37–40].

However, these polymer-based nanoparticles and capsules are again classified into several categories as follows: (a) polymer-polymer nanostructures, (b) polymer-metal NPs, (c) polymer-nonmetal NPs, (d) polymer-inorganic NPs, and (e) polymer-organic (proteins, amino acids) NPs. However, polymer-polymer nanoparticles, polymer-silica NPs, amino acid-based polymers, and polymer-zinc oxide NPs have unique characteristic properties for various biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems (DDSs). Based on cytotoxicity, side effects and biocompatibility issue the quantum dots (QDs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are avoided for the usage in the field of biomedical and pharmaceuticals. Aforementioned, there are various polymer-based nanoparticles which are already developed, but they all have their limitations, and for amino acid-based polymer nanoparticles and nanocapsules (NCs) like dendrimers, core-shell nanoparticles (CSNPs), the block copolymer (BCP), and mesoporous SiO2NPs, it is easy to change their surface and other properties [41]. However, **Figures 4** and **5** illustrate the classification of polymer and polymer nanoparticles and non-polymeric nanoparticles. The concept self-assembly has an obligatory role to rearrange and orient the active functional groups present in the monomers and polymers through the esthetic structural integrity throughout the surface of the nanoparticles and capsules. The concept self-assembly as well amorphous and crystalline nature of polymer are also one of the key factors which influence the arrangement and organization between functional groups like hydroxyl (–OH), amine (–NH2), amide (–NH), keto (–C=O), ester (R–COO–R), acid (–COOH), aldehyde (–CHO), and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons as discussed in earlier sections [38–43]. The formation of porous spheroid-shaped nanoparticles and capsules depends on intra- and intermolecular interactions between functional groups. The molecular imprinting of hydrophilic nanoparticles with denser hydrophobic particles can lead to the formation and creation of pores within the particles and throughout the surface of the particles and capsules [41–44].



**147**

**Figure 5.**

*methods.*

*Polymer Properties: Functionalization and Surface Modified Nanoparticles*

Nanotechnologically there are two important approaches to prepare the nanoparticles such as top-down approach and bottom-up approach. However, topdown approach can be termed as breakdown approach, and it is the core method to prepare nanoparticles. For example, bulk gold cube to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be achieved through the top-down approach, and simply particle segregation takes place during this approach [42–45]. Sonication, ultra-sonication, ball milling, and stirring are the best examples for the top-down approach to preparing nanoparticles. Similarly, bottom-up can be referred to as the buildup approach and in this approach nano to macro and macro to bulk materials can be achieved. This bottomup approach is like aggregation of nanoparticles which leads to the formation of bulk materials. However, monomer to polymer formation is the best example for the bottom-up approach. Sometimes based on potential applications, these nanoparticles are called smart materials or smart nanoparticles (**Figure 5**) [43–46].

*Schematic illustration shows the classification of different types of nanoparticles and their synthesis approach* 

These polymer-based nanoparticles are developed in principle to protect the guest particles or molecules from degradation and its functional activity, for example, porous polymer nanoparticles or nanocapsules loaded with anticancer drugs or nanomedicines [47]. Because of the soft nature of polymer NPs and nanocapsules, it is very easy to modify the surface of the particles and their monodispersion based on its applications. The enhanced absorption and modification of the drug distribution throughout the surface of the particles or capsules lead to the target-specific or tissue- or cell- or organ-specific pharmacokinetics and dynamics in various biomedical and pharmaceutical usages. Polymer-based nanoparticles and capsules allow easy surface functionalization and modification to tune up them with desirous properties. Sometimes smooth surface of the polymer thin films can become rough due to the internalization and incorporation of metal and other inorganic nanoparticles such as FeONPs, ZnONPs, AlNPs, AgNPs, AuNPs, SiO2NPs, etc. The surface properties like particle smoothness and roughness or porous nature of particles in composite can give better results, but its surface and size may not fit for

**5. Advantages with polymer nanoparticle**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84424*


#### **Figure 4.**

*Shows the classification of various nanoparticles and their morphology acquired through the different microscopic characterizations.*

*Polymer Properties: Functionalization and Surface Modified Nanoparticles DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84424*

#### **Figure 5.**

*Role of Novel Drug Delivery Vehicles in Nanobiomedicine*

the particles and capsules [41–44].

(e) metal nanoparticles (MNPs), (f) metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs), (g) amino acid-based nanoparticles (AANPs), (h) ceramic nanoparticles (CNPs), (i) hydrogel nanoparticles (HNPs), (j) solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLNPs), etc. [37–40]. However, these polymer-based nanoparticles and capsules are again classified into several categories as follows: (a) polymer-polymer nanostructures, (b) polymer-metal NPs, (c) polymer-nonmetal NPs, (d) polymer-inorganic NPs, and (e) polymer-organic (proteins, amino acids) NPs. However, polymer-polymer nanoparticles, polymer-silica NPs, amino acid-based polymers, and polymer-zinc oxide NPs have unique characteristic properties for various biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems (DDSs). Based on cytotoxicity, side effects and biocompatibility issue the quantum dots (QDs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are avoided for the usage in the field of biomedical and pharmaceuticals. Aforementioned, there are various polymer-based nanoparticles which are already developed, but they all have their limitations, and for amino acid-based polymer nanoparticles and nanocapsules (NCs) like dendrimers, core-shell nanoparticles (CSNPs), the block copolymer (BCP), and mesoporous SiO2NPs, it is easy to change their surface and other properties [41]. However, **Figures 4** and **5** illustrate the classification of polymer and polymer nanoparticles and non-polymeric nanoparticles. The concept self-assembly has an obligatory role to rearrange and orient the active functional groups present in the monomers and polymers through the esthetic structural integrity throughout the surface of the nanoparticles and capsules. The concept self-assembly as well amorphous and crystalline nature of polymer are also one of the key factors which influence the arrangement and organization between functional groups like hydroxyl (–OH), amine (–NH2), amide (–NH), keto (–C=O), ester (R–COO–R), acid (–COOH), aldehyde (–CHO), and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons as discussed in earlier sections [38–43]. The formation of porous spheroid-shaped nanoparticles and capsules depends on intra- and intermolecular interactions between functional groups. The molecular imprinting of hydrophilic nanoparticles with denser hydrophobic particles can lead to the formation and creation of pores within the particles and throughout the surface of

*Shows the classification of various nanoparticles and their morphology acquired through the different* 

**146**

**Figure 4.**

*microscopic characterizations.*

*Schematic illustration shows the classification of different types of nanoparticles and their synthesis approach methods.*

Nanotechnologically there are two important approaches to prepare the nanoparticles such as top-down approach and bottom-up approach. However, topdown approach can be termed as breakdown approach, and it is the core method to prepare nanoparticles. For example, bulk gold cube to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be achieved through the top-down approach, and simply particle segregation takes place during this approach [42–45]. Sonication, ultra-sonication, ball milling, and stirring are the best examples for the top-down approach to preparing nanoparticles. Similarly, bottom-up can be referred to as the buildup approach and in this approach nano to macro and macro to bulk materials can be achieved. This bottomup approach is like aggregation of nanoparticles which leads to the formation of bulk materials. However, monomer to polymer formation is the best example for the bottom-up approach. Sometimes based on potential applications, these nanoparticles are called smart materials or smart nanoparticles (**Figure 5**) [43–46].
