Facile synthesis of multifunctional m‐SiO2@ZnO nanocomposite employing biocompatible polymers for potential theranostic applications

Abstract

Abstract A multifunctional nanocomposite based on ZnO and mesoporous SiO2 is presented for potential biomedical applications. A simple modified hydrothermal method is used to synthesize PEG‐coated ZnO whereas mesoporous SiO2 was obtained through sol–gel method. Nanocomposite is obtained by stirring the two products in deionized water under slightly acidic conditions. Biocompatibility is introduced through surface coating of ZnO with polyethylene glycol and of SiO2 with chitosan. ZnO nanoparticles with particle size of 50–80 nm and mesoporous SiO2 with particle size of 600 nm are obtained in the final composite. The nanocomposite has island‐type coat of ZnO nanoparticles on submicron mesoporous SiO2 with photoluminescent properties and drug‐carrying ability.