Mode of Growth Mechanism of Nanocrystal Using Biomolecules

Abstract

A structure decides its functional mode. For a chemist, a physicist, a biologist, or an engineer, the credibility of their work only depends on how efficiently they can translate the structural aspect of a nanocrystal to its functional aspect in any biological system. The macromolecules are known to control their local chemical environment, allowing access to seemingly unfavorable reaction pathways. Surface chemistry governs the nucleation, growth and self-assembly of nanostructures on surfaces. Below a critical size, the formation of nanocrystals is sharply affected and its properties are impacted as a result. So it is very important to achieve the desired results through the judicious choice of reaction conditions. Biomolecules, such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, fatty acids, or any of the phosphates, all have their characteristic functional groups, whether it is amide, sulphide, carbonyl, or carboxyl group. The main advantage of utilizing these biomolecules as precursors for the synthesis of nanocrystals is that they have a huge molecular library, enabling a combinatorial approach to achieve nanocrystals of a desired shape and size.When a nanocrystal grows, due to confinement in size, the surface molecules/atoms remain unsatisfied giving rise to dangling bonds. The interaction of these bonds with biomolecules results in very interesting morphologies. The growth mechanism of nanocrystals with biomolecules may proceed through hydrophobic, hydrophilic, ionic, nonionic or hydrogen bond interactions. The pathway depends on the mode of synthesis, nature of the functional group, and concentration of biomolecules.

Cytotoxicity Studies of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles Using Yeast Comet Assay

“…Synthesis of nanoscale structures of inert metals like gold is of great interest for the current day researchers as gold possess certain physical properties, which are suitable for several biomedical applications. Thus gold nanoparticles (AuNps) having unique physicochemical features show significant future promise in the fields of biomedical imaging and therapy [1][2][3][4][5]. Studies also lay special emphasis on the uniqueness of the gold nanoparticles for treatment of life threatening diseases like cancer [6].…”