Physicochemical properties and in vivo evaluation of Pt/TiO2–SiO2 nanopowders

Abstract

Aim: Sol–gel is a suitable and advantageous method to synthesize mixed oxide nanomaterials with unique physicochemical and biological properties. Materials & methods: In this work, TiO2–SiO2 nanopowders cogeled with platinum acetylacetonate were developed and studied in the perspective of nanomedicine. The physicochemical properties of the Pt/TiO2–SiO2 nanopowders, named NanoRa2-Pt, were evaluated in detail by means of complementary spectroscopic and microscopic tools. The nanopowder's biocatalytic efficiency in wound healing was evaluated in a Type I diabetes animal model. Results: These are TiO2–SiO2 submicron mesoporous particles with variable size and shape containing ultra-small platinum nanoparticles with catalytic properties. Conclusion: The use of NanoRa2-Pt catalyzes the natural healing processes with a faster remodeling stage. These sols, which we call nanobiocatalysts, belong to an emerging and very promising research field known as catalytic nanomedicine.