Green synthesis of chitosan-silver/gold hybrid nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Abstract

Silver and gold nanoparticles (NPs) attract great attention nowadays because of their unique characteristics that entitle them for various biomedical applications. However, there is still a need for successful green synthesis methods for these two metal NPs, especially in a hybrid form, as well-established protocols. On the other hand, chitosan (Cs) is a polysaccharide of great promise for green synthesis of metal NPs, especially in the presence of some plant/fruit extracts. Together, Cs and the appropriate natural products in the extracts play the roles of both capping and reducing agents toward the green synthesis and stabilization of the silver/gold hybrid NPs. In this chapter, we introduce a well-established protocol for the green synthesis of Cs-Ag/Au hybrid NPs which could incorporate a therapeutic agent. In this approach, Cs plays the role of a carrier for the therapeutic agent, in addition to its capping/reducing contributions.