Nanoparticle

Fabrication
Biological Techniques

A presentation by Arunabh Mathur

ASU2021010100055

Submitted to Dr. Saroj Kumar

BSBT-214
Material Sciences and Biomaterials
Introduction
• Nanoparticles, at the forefront of modern science, are minuscule entities with
dimensions typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers. These nanoparticles, often
composed of various materials, exhibit unique and size-dependent properties that
differ from their bulk counterparts.
Introduction
• They can be categorized into metallic, semiconductor, and dielectric nanoparticles,
each with distinct characteristics. The remarkable properties of nanoparticles have
spurred innovations across multiple fields, including medicine, electronics, and
materials science.
• Their applications encompass drug delivery, catalysis, and enhancing materials'
mechanical and electronic properties.
Approaches of Fabrication

Top-down Bottom-up
Approaches of Fabrication
• Top-down: involves the reduction of bulk materials or structures to
create nanoparticles.

• Bottom-up: builds nanoparticles from atomic or molecular constituents,

gradually assembling them to form nanoscale structures. Chemical
reactions and self-assembly processes are key elements of this method.
 Methods of Synthesis
• Physical

• Chemical

• Biological

Image source: Khandel, P., Yadaw, R.K., Soni, D.K. et al. (2018).
Physical Methods
• They involve manipulating bulk materials or atoms through physical
processes to create nanoparticles. These methods often rely on energy-driven
techniques, such as laser ablation, grinding, or evaporation, to fragment
larger materials into nanoscale particles. Physical synthesis can yield
nanoparticles with unique properties and is particularly useful in applications
like photonics and catalysis, where size and morphology are crucial.
Chemical Methods
• It relies on chemical reactions to reduce precursor compounds or metal salts into
nanoparticles. By carefully controlling reaction conditions, such as temperature,
pressure, and reactant concentrations, researchers can tailor the size, shape, and
composition of nanoparticles.

• Chemical synthesis is essential in fields like nanoelectronics and materials science,

where precise control over nanoparticle properties is crucial.
Biological Methods
• These employ living organisms, their components, or biomolecules, such as
enzymes or plant extracts, to facilitate the creation of nanoparticles. This eco-
friendly approach is gaining attention due to its sustainability and reduced toxicity.

• Biological synthesis leverages the unique capabilities of living organisms to

produce nanoparticles with distinct properties.
Biological Methods of
Fabrication
Biological Methods of Fabrication
• Microorganism-mediated

• Plant extraction and Enzyme-mediated

• Bioinspired and Bio-mineralization

Micro-organism mediated synthesis
• A biologically inspired method that utilizes living microorganisms to reduce metal
ions and facilitate the production of nanoparticles.
This method leverages the inherent biological processes within these
microorganisms to catalyze and control nanoparticle formation.
Micro-organism mediated synthesis
• Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, often possess enzymes with the capability to
catalyze the reduction of metal ions. These enzymes function as powerful
biocatalysts, orchestrating the reduction and stabilization of metallic nanoparticles.

• This results in the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles, typically on the surface
or within the microorganisms, depending on the specific microbial species and
conditions.
 Micro-organism mediated synthesis
• A notable example is the use
Shewanella Bacteria
of Shewanella bacteria to
synthesize silver nanoparticles.
These bacteria enzymatically
reduce silver ions into metallic
nanoparticles, which are
typically found on the cell
surface.

Image source: Jafar Ali, et al (2019)

Plant Extraction and Enzyme Mediated
• Plant extract and enzyme-mediated synthesis is a biologically derived approach that
involves the use of plant extracts or enzymes, often sourced from plants, as reducing
agents and capping agents in the synthesis of nanoparticles.
• Certain plant extracts contain bioactive compounds that can effectively reduce metal
ions, initiating the formation of metallic nanoparticles. Enzymes extracted from plants,
such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP), can catalyze these reduction reactions,
facilitating nanoparticle growth and stability.
 Plant Extraction and Enzyme Mediated

Image source: Shamaila et al (2016)

 Plant Extraction and Enzyme Mediated
• A well-known illustration of this approach is the use of green tea extract to
synthesize silver nanoparticles. The phytochemicals in green tea act as reducing
agents to convert silver ions into metallic nanoparticles.

Image source: Shamaila et al (2016)

Bio-inspired and Bio-mineralization
• These approaches involve the utilization of biological templates, structures, or
entities as scaffolds for the controlled formation of nanoparticles. This method
seeks to replicate or draw inspiration from natural processes.
• biological entities such as viruses, diatoms, mycelium, and extracellular vesicles
are employed as templates for nanoparticle growth. They provide a structured and
organized environment for the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles.
 Bio-inspired and Bio-mineralization
• A classic example of bioinspired synthesis is the use of M13 bacteriophages to
create gold nanoparticles. The bacteriophages are engineered to display peptide
sequences that bind to gold ions, guiding the formation of gold nanoparticles with
specific shapes and properties.

Image source: Rita A., et al (2015)

Case study
• One example of a nanoparticle (NP) used is the silver/iron oxide composite NP. These
NPs were synthesized using a one-pot green route for 4-nitrophenol reduction. The
product was characterized as silver-coated iron oxide core shell and iron oxide
hydroxide nanocomposites.
Case study
• Researchers obtain plant extracts from various plant sources, such as Aloe vera, green
tea, or neem leaves. These extracts contain phytochemicals, including flavonoids and
polyphenols, that have reducing properties. When mixed with a silver salt solution
(usually silver nitrate), these extracts reduce silver ions to form silver nanoparticles.
Limitations
• Complexity and variability
• Limited scalability
• Impurity and contamination
• Biomaterial sourcing and compatibility
• Longer reaction times
• Safety considerations
Applications of Green NPs
• Medical: metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in targeted drug delivery, cancer
treatments, gene therapy and even MRI scanning.
• Catalytic: green nanoparticles are efficient heterogenous catalysts.
• Electronic: efficient electrical conductivity property is applicable in manufacturing
of sensors, diodes and other electronic components.
• Antimicrobial: AgNPs and AuNPs posses excellent antimicrobial properties,
applicable in medical and industrial sectors.
Conclusion
• In conclusion, there are a multitude of methods and approaches for nanoparticle
fabrication. In which, a biological approach is a much fascinating one. They could be
plant extracted or microbe-mediated.
• Green routes of nanoparticle synthesis means exploring new and environmentally
friendly ways of fabrication of stable and efficient nanoparticles, which in
themselves, have a myriad of applications in medical, pharmaceutical, electric, optic
and many more inductries.
 Citations
• Shamaila, S., Sajjad, A. K. L., Ryma, N.-A., Farooqi, S. A., Jabeen, N., Majeed, S., & Farooq, I.
(2016). Advancements in nanoparticle fabrication by hazard free eco-friendly green routes. Applied
Materials Today, 5, 150–199. doi:10.1016/j.apmt.2016.09.009

• Arole, V. M. A., & Munde, S. V. M. (2014, December). Fabrication of nanoparticles by top-down

and bottom-up approaches-- an overview. JAAST: Material Science, 1(2), 89–93.

• Sinha, Pan, Chanda, & Sen. (2009, July). Nanoparticles fabrication using ambient biological
resources. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 19, 1113–1130.
Thank you for your attention.
And patience.