A review on functionalization and potential application spectrum of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) based systems

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) owing to its broad application spectrum are gaining popularity in recent years. The current review article offers a one-stop-reference for young scientists as it encompasses the literature reports on method of synthesis and functionalization of MNPs based systems and their potential applications spectrum in diverse fields. This review summarizes in details about different methods reported in literature for the synthesis of MNPs, need of functionalization of MNPs, immobilization of active species onto the surface of functionalized MNPs and their applications in carrying out biologically important organic transformation. Applications of MNPs are not only restricted to the field of catalysis but also showed potential applications in different sectors. Over the last few decades, there has been increasing global concern over public health issues due to contamination of water bodies with harmful dyes and toxic metals. Monitoring and subsequent removal of these harmful dyes and toxic metals from the contaminated water is one of the major environmental remediation interests today. In this context, MNPs based absorbents have shown exuberant potential to remove deleterious pollutants from water bodies owing to their high removal efficiency, low cost, faster kinetics, easy accessibility and design flexibility. Besides, MNPs have also proved their potential in the field of enzyme and pharmaceutical industries. MNPs being the major class of nanoscale materials are revolutionizing the current clinical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and are currently employed as next generation drug carriers. Furthermore, Magnetic NP-Based Biosensors was also employed for detection of the presence of SARS-CoV-2, a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus responsible for nearly 6.1 million deaths occurred due to COVID-19 pandemic. MNPs based system also showed their potential in fuel industry as it is used in the production of biodiesel which emerges as a promising alternative to fossil fuel derived energy sources because it is eco-friendly, clean and biodegradable in nature. In short, we have provided in-depth details about the MNPs, their synthesis, functionalization and their applications in diverse fields.