Green synthesis of irregularly shaped gold nanoparticles

Abstract

The synthesis and application of new nanomaterials have become a key technology for many fields, like electronics, engineering, optics, computer science, sensorics, and biomedicine. Therefore, there is an interest to new cost, energy, and time effective methods for preparation of new nanomaterials. Biomedical application of nanomaterials is limited not only by control over the size and morphology of nanoparticles but also by their biocompatibility. However, the trusted protocols normally involve the application of reducing agents (sodium borohydride, methoxy polyethylene glycol, potassium tartrate, etc.) and capping agents (sodium dodecyl benzyl sulphate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, etc.) which are usually toxic. The unavoidable presence of toxic compounds in nanocolloid systems limits the applications of the nanoparticles for biological systems. The aim of this study is the analysis of recent reports and evaluation of perspectives for the development of green methods of metal nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Numerous physical-chemical methods are in use for the characterization of nanoparticles: ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy for characterization of surface plasmon resonance, infrared spectroscopy for characterization of capping agents, surface and transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy for size and shape studies, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for chemical composition determination and dynamic light scattering for size determination. Analysis of recent studies have shown that the extracts of selected plants (juniper, goldenrod, spearmint, lemon balm etc.) can be successfully used for preparation of biocompatible plasmonic materials with response in infrared region what make them attractive for biomedical applications.

The synthesis and application of new nanomaterials have become a key technology for many fields, like electronics, engineering, optics, computer science, sensorics, and biomedicine. Therefore, there is an interest to new cost, energy, and time effective methods for preparation of new nanomaterials. Biomedical application of nanomaterials is limited not only by control over the size and morphology of nanoparticles but also by their biocompatibility. However, the trusted protocols normally involve the application of reducing agents (sodium borohydride, methoxy polyethylene glycol, potassium tartrate, etc.) and capping agents (sodium dodecyl benzyl sulphate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, etc.) which are usually toxic. The unavoidable presence of toxic compounds in nanocolloid systems limits the applications of the nanoparticles for biological systems. The aim of this study is the analysis of recent reports and evaluation of perspectives for the development of green methods of metal nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Numerous physical-chemical methods are in use for the characterization of nanoparticles: ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy for characterization of surface plasmon resonance, infrared spectroscopy for characterization of capping agents, surface and transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy for size and shape studies, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for chemical composition determination and dynamic light scattering for size determination. Analysis of recent studies have shown that the extracts of selected plants (juniper, goldenrod, spearmint, lemon balm etc.) can be successfully used for preparation of biocompatible plasmonic materials with response in infrared region what make them attractive for biomedical applications.