Nanohybride

Nanohybride, or nanohybrid, denotes a material composed of two or more distinct nanoscale components whose interactions generate emergent properties not found in the separate parts. The term is used across chemistry, materials science, and nanobiotechnology to describe hybrids formed by combining inorganic nanoparticles with organic matrices, polymers, biomolecules, or carbon-based materials.

Common components include inorganic nanoparticles (gold, silver, silica, TiO2, quantum dots), carbon nanostructures (graphene, carbon nanotubes), polymers, nucleic acids, proteins, and metal–organic frameworks. Hybrids can take forms such as core–shell nanoparticles, polymer–nanoparticle composites, or layered assemblies.

Synthesis approaches range from in situ growth of nanoparticles within a host matrix to layer-by-layer deposition, surface grafting, and self-assembly driven by electrostatic, hydrophobic, or coordination interactions. Sol–gel, co-precipitation, and click chemistry are common routes to integrate components with controlled interfaces.

The principal advantage of nanohybrides is the emergence of synergistic properties, including enhanced optical, catalytic, electrical, mechanical, or biological performance. Surface functionality can be tuned to improve biocompatibility, targeting, or dispersion in a medium.

Applications span catalysis, environmental remediation, energy storage and conversion, sensing and imaging, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Ongoing research focuses on improving stability, scalability, and reproducibility, as well as addressing safety and regulatory concerns for nanomaterials.

Characterization typically employs transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, and particle-sizing and surface-charge measurements to assess structure, composition, and interfaces.