Biosynthesis of Inorganic Nanoparticles: A Fresh Look at the Control of Shape, Size and Composition

Abstract

Several methodologies have been devised for the design of nanomaterials. The “Holy Grail” for materials scientists is the cost-effective, eco-friendly synthesis of nanomaterials with controlled sizes, shapes and compositions, as these features confer to the as-produced nanocrystals unique properties making them appropriate candidates for valuable bio-applications. The present review summarizes published data regarding the production of nanomaterials with special features via sustainable methodologies based on the utilization of natural bioresources. The richness of the latter, the diversity of the routes adopted and the tuned experimental parameters have led to the fabrication of nanomaterials belonging to different chemical families with appropriate compositions and displaying interesting sizes and shapes. It is expected that these outstanding findings will encourage researchers and attract newcomers to continue and extend the exploration of possibilities offered by nature and the design of innovative and safer methodologies towards the synthesis of unique nanomaterials, possessing desired features and exhibiting valuable properties that can be exploited in a profusion of fields.

Engineering bacteria for biogenic synthesis of chalcogenide nanomaterials

“…However, in one study (Ramanathan et al, 2009), researchers demonstrated the shape of the silver nanomaterials synthesized depended on the growth kinetics of a silver resistant bacteria, Morganella psychrotolerans. Differences in the nanostructure dimensions were also dependent on the biological context of synthesis (Dahoumane et al, 2017), and here in our study, fibres derived from E. coli cultures were slightly wider and more heterogeneous in size. In a previous study, analyzing the formation of cadmium sulfide nanomaterials by E. coli only two of the four strains tested produced nanomaterials with photoluminescence (Sweeney et al, 2004), and in the same study stationary phase produced 20-fold higher nanomaterials compared with log phase cells.…”

“…Mechanisms that regulate nanoparticle shape were not determined. In other contexts, the host organism influenced material shape and size (Li et al, 2011;Dahoumane et al, 2017). For example, gold nanoparticles made by Shewanella were spherical (~12 nm) in shape (Suresh et al, 2011); however, E. coli produced triangles and hexagons (Du et al, 2007).…”

“…A major challenge in biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials is the control of nanomaterials properties, including size, shape and composition. Biomolecules such as glycolipids and proteins can control the size and shape of the nanomaterials (Mao et al, 2003;Kumar et al, 2010;Singh et al, 2011;Dunleavy et al, 2016;Dahoumane et al, 2017). A better understanding of the biochemical pathways and biomolecules involved in controlling the nanomaterial properties would help us create a better biological system with tunable circuits to influence the nanomaterial properties.…”

Engineering bacteria for biogenic synthesis of chalcogenide nanomaterials

“…Additionally, the available concentrations of arsenite and sulfide, modulated by the expression level of the reduction genes, could be another potential reason for this variation in shape. Differences in the nanostructure dimensions were also dependent on the biological context of synthesis (Dahoumane et al, 2017). As shown in Figure 3, fibers derived from E. coli cultures were slightly wider and more heterogeneous.…”

“…Previous work showed the influence of the organism on material shape and size (Li et al, 2011;Dahoumane et al, 2017). Gold nanoparticles made by Shewanella were spherical (~12 nm) in shape (Suresh et al, 2011); however, E .coli produced triangles and hexagons (Du et al, 2007).…”