Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been the most extensively studied systems in the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology as a result of their fascinating physical and chemical properties. Diversity in the modes of preparation, unique properties, and unusual stability in comparison with related materials make GNPs ideal for a vast array of applications in chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine. An overview of the fascinating area of GNPs is presented here. The rich history of GNPs is briefly reviewed followed by a concise description of various pioneering synthetic strategies and their properties. Important aspects of novel anisotropic GNPs and assembled gold nanostructures are briefly described in the subsequent sections. A few interesting aspects of supported GNPs have also been outlined. We have highlighted important applications of GNPs and have given a special mention of a new category of ultrasmall materials of gold known as quantum clusters. The article ends with the new directions of GNPs and outlines the prospects of future applications.