Metallic Nanoparticle: A Review

Abstract

Metallic nano particle is nano sized metals with dimensions (length, width, thickness) within the size range of 1-100nm. In 1857, Faraday first investigated the existence of metallic nano particles in solution. In 1908, Mie gave a quantitative explanation of their colour. Today these nano materials can be prepared and modified with various chemical functional groups which allow them to bind with antibodies, ligands and drugs. Metallic nanoparticles give wide range of application in therapeutic area, biotechnology, vehicles for gene and drug delivery. This review summarizes the properties, advantages, disadvantages and characteristics of metal nanomaterials. This review also highlights on how metallic nanomaterials work as a catalyst and why is it necessary for stabilization. It provides the readers, detailed information on the synthesis by various methods, characterization, with particular focus on therapeutic application along with potential side effects and their future perspective. Recent headway had opened the way to site-specific targeting and drug delivery by these metallic nanoparticles.