Nanoparticles are often referred to as miracle materials with extensive applications in various fields, especially in biomedicine, and in cancer treatment. Regarding vast applications of nanoparticles in biomedicine, photothermal therapy (PTT) also attracts the attention of researchers in various fields, since PTT is noninvasive and can provide localized therapy. We provide an extensive review that explores the use of various nanoparticles, including carbon-based, metallic, semiconductor, and composite nanostructures, in PTT and theranostic applications. The work also illustrates the mechanisms underlying the photothermal conversion process in nanomaterials, which were discussed in detail. Moreover, the review demonstrates recent advancements in photothermal nanoparticles such as surface modifications, PEGylation, polydopamine coating, composite nanoparticle formations, core@shell formations, and biomolecule functionalization. Such advancements and modifications enhance their drug delivery behaviors, tumor-targeting efficiency, biocompatibility, and multimodal characteristics. Furthermore, such modifications lead to combined imaging and therapeutic functionalities, which were often referred to as theranostics where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) enables precise monitoring and treatment of tumors simultaneously. The review gives an insight into the potential of photothermal nanoparticles and enables researchers to truly discover the potential of the photothermal nanoparticles for future research directions where photothermal nanoparticles can find practical applications in nanomedicine and cancer therapy.

Antimicrobial and antifungal polymers are gaining the attention of pharmaceutical makers and industrial design. Nanospheres-Polymers attached Platinum(II) / (IV) complexes have been synthesized to investigate antimicrobial activities. Firstly, nanospheres involving Schiff bases were synthesized from (aminomethyl) polystyrene and four substitute salicylaldehyde (2-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 5-fluoro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 5-kloro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 5-bromo-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde). Secondly, polymers attached Platinum(II) / (IV) complexes have been prepared by means of template method. The IR spectra show that the ligands act in a monovalent bidentate fashion all nanospheres involving Schiff bases. Square-planar and octahedral structures are proposed for Pt(II) and Pt(IV), respectively. All these substances have been examined for antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains, and antifungal activity. In particular, Pt(IV) complexes were more potent bactericides than all of the synthesized substances.

A new magnetic solid phase extraction method was developed utilizing magnetically enhanced zinc oxide (ZnO@Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles for the separation and enrichment of lead (II) and cadmium (II) before sample determination through flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The ZnO@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles synthesized by the hydrothermal method were characterized by x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy. The experimental factors like pH (6.0), eluent type and concentration (1 M nitric acid for lead (II), 1 M hydrochloric acid for cadmium (II)), adsorbent amount (150 mg for lead (II), and 200 mg for cadmium (II)), sample volume (5 mL), and extraction time (5 min for lead (II), and 10 min for cadmium (II)) were optimized. Under the optimization conditions, limits of detection of 2.36 and 7.86 µg/L for lead (II) and cadmium (II) were obtained with a wide concentration range from 50 to 5000 µg/L, respectively. The presented method was successfully applied to real water samples with spiked recoveries in the range of 99.2%–101% for lead (II) and 99.6%–100% for cadmium (II).