Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Nanoparticle synthesis
Botom up methods
(build up from smaller entities)
Physicochemical
solvent/nonsolvent
Aerosol
processes
Top down methods
(size reduction)
Explosion
processes
Precipitation
Mechanical
milling
Condensation
Sol/gel synthesis
Ablation
Vapor
deposition
Chemical
etching
Sputtering
Metal salts
Metal nanoparticles
Figure 10.2
Various approaches for making nanoparticles.
[27, 28]. h e size of Pt nanoparticles can be produced using chemical rip-
ening [29].h e initial step of this multistep, multi-seed process starts with
small individual platinum seeds in an water solution containing sodium
citrate and L-ascorbic acid. h e i nal diameter of the nanoparticles relies
on the concentration of chloroplatinic acid and the initial seed size [29].
10.3 Gold Nanoparticles
Gold have fascinated scientists for ages and are now heavily utilized in
chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine [30-32]. h ese materials
can be synthesized reproducibly, modii ed with apparently limitless chem-
ical functional groups, and, in certain cases, characterized with atomic-
level precision. Many examples of highly sensitive and selective assays
based upon gold nanoconjugates have been described in the literature.
Recently, focus has turned to therapeutic possibilities for such materials.
Structures which behave as gene-regulating agents, drug carriers, imaging
agents, and therapeutics have been designed and studied in the context of
cells and many diseases [30-32]. h ese structures are not simply chosen as
