Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterisation and Biomedical Applications

Overview

Journal Open Life Sci

Specialty Biology

Date 2021 Apr 5

PMID 33817269

Citations 56

Authors

Ahmad Almatroudi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field due to its unique functionality and a wide range of applications. Nanomedicine explores the possibilities of applying the knowledge and tools of nanotechnology for the prevention, treatment, diagnosis and control of disease. In this regard, silver nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 1 to 100 nm are considered most important due to their unique properties, ability to form diverse nanostructures, their extraordinary range of bactericidal and anticancer properties, wound healing and other therapeutic abilities and their cost-effectiveness in production. The current paper reviews various types of physical, chemical and biological methods used in the production of silver nanoparticles. It also describes approaches employing silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents, as antitumour agents, in dentistry and dental implants, as promoters of bone healing, in cardiovascular implants and as promoters of wound healing. The paper also explores the mechanism of action, synthesis methods and morphological characterisation of silver nanoparticles to examine their role in medical treatments and disease management.

Citing Articles

Insights into the fungal secretomes and their roles in the formation and stabilization of the biogenic silver nanoparticles.

Santana da Costa T, Delgado G, Braga C, Tasic L RSC Adv. 2025; 15(9):6938-6951.

PMID: 40041383 PMC: 11877120. DOI: 10.1039/d4ra07962k.

Biofilm Resilience: Molecular Mechanisms Driving Antibiotic Resistance in Clinical Contexts.

Almatroudi A Biology (Basel). 2025; 14(2).

PMID: 40001933 PMC: 11852148. DOI: 10.3390/biology14020165.

A review on green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using plant extracts: a multifaceted approach in photocatalysis, environmental remediation, and biomedicine.

Shahzadi S, Fatima S, Ain Q, Shafiq Z, Janjua M RSC Adv. 2025; 15(5):3858-3903.

PMID: 39917042 PMC: 11800103. DOI: 10.1039/d4ra07519f.

Gold Nanoparticles: Multifunctional Properties, Synthesis, and Future Prospects.

Duman H, Akdasci E, Eker F, Bechelany M, Karav S Nanomaterials (Basel). 2024; 14(22).

PMID: 39591046 PMC: 11597081. DOI: 10.3390/nano14221805.

Silver Nanoparticles in Therapeutics and Beyond: A Review of Mechanism Insights and Applications.

Eker F, Duman H, Akdasci E, Witkowska A, Bechelany M, Karav S Nanomaterials (Basel). 2024; 14(20).

PMID: 39452955 PMC: 11510578. DOI: 10.3390/nano14201618.

References

Liu Y, Fu J, Chen P, Yu X, Yang P . [Studies on biosorption of Au3+ by Bacillus megaterium]. Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao. 2003; 40(4):425-9. View

Miller C, Newall N, Kapp S, Lewin G, Karimi L, Carville K . A randomized-controlled trial comparing cadexomer iodine and nanocrystalline silver on the healing of leg ulcers. Wound Repair Regen. 2010; 18(4):359-67. DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-475X.2010.00603.x. View

Gurunathan S, Han J, Kwon D, Kim J . Enhanced antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of silver nanoparticles against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Nanoscale Res Lett. 2014; 9(1):373. PMC: 4127560. DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-9-373. View

Rafati A, ter Veen R, Castner D . Low energy ion scattering: Determining overlayer thickness for functionalized gold nanoparticles. Surf Interface Anal. 2013; 45(11-12). PMC: 3840431. DOI: 10.1002/sia.5315. View

Calderon-Jimenez B, Johnson M, Montoro Bustos A, Murphy K, Winchester M, Vega Baudrit J . Silver Nanoparticles: Technological Advances, Societal Impacts, and Metrological Challenges. Front Chem. 2017; 5:6. PMC: 5318410. DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2017.00006. View

Tarannum N, Divya , Gautam Y . Facile green synthesis and applications of silver nanoparticles: a state-of-the-art review. RSC Adv. 2022; 9(60):34926-34948. PMC: 9074700. DOI: 10.1039/c9ra04164h. View

Qasim M, Udomluck N, Chang J, Park H, Kim K . Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles encapsulated in poly--isopropylacrylamide-based polymeric nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine. 2018; 13:235-249. PMC: 5757205. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S153485. View

Prathna T, Chandrasekaran N, Raichur A, Mukherjee A . Biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Citrus limon (lemon) aqueous extract and theoretical prediction of particle size. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2010; 82(1):152-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.08.036. View

Ge L, Li Q, Wang M, Ouyang J, Li X, Xing M . Nanosilver particles in medical applications: synthesis, performance, and toxicity. Int J Nanomedicine. 2014; 9:2399-407. PMC: 4037247. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S55015. View

10.

Shankar S, Ahmad A, Sastry M . Geranium leaf assisted biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. Biotechnol Prog. 2003; 19(6):1627-31. DOI: 10.1021/bp034070w. View

11.

Pal S, Tak Y, Song J . Does the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles depend on the shape of the nanoparticle? A study of the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2007; 73(6):1712-20. PMC: 1828795. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02218-06. View

12.

Xue B, He D, Gao S, Wang D, Yokoyama K, Wang L . Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by the fungus Arthroderma fulvum and its antifungal activity against genera of Candida, Aspergillus and Fusarium. Int J Nanomedicine. 2016; 11:1899-906. PMC: 4862354. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S98339. View

13.

Perez-Diaz M, Boegli L, James G, Velasquillo C, Sanchez-Sanchez R, Martinez-Martinez R . Silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus mutans and their cytotoxic effect. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2015; 55:360-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.05.036. View

14.

Gowramma B, Keerthi U, Rafi M, Muralidhara Rao D . Biogenic silver nanoparticles production and characterization from native stain of Corynebacterium species and its antimicrobial activity. 3 Biotech. 2017; 5(2):195-201. PMC: 4362738. DOI: 10.1007/s13205-014-0210-4. View

15.

Alejandro Ramirez-Lee M, Aguirre-Banuelos P, Martinez-Cuevas P, Espinosa-Tanguma R, Chi-Ahumada E, Martinez-Castanon G . Evaluation of cardiovascular responses to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Nanomedicine. 2017; 14(2):385-395. DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.11.013. View

16.

Kim K, Sung W, Suh B, Moon S, Choi J, Kim J . Antifungal activity and mode of action of silver nano-particles on Candida albicans. Biometals. 2008; 22(2):235-42. DOI: 10.1007/s10534-008-9159-2. View

17.

Morones J, Elechiguerra J, Camacho A, Holt K, Kouri J, Tapia Ramirez J . The bactericidal effect of silver nanoparticles. Nanotechnology. 2010; 16(10):2346-53. DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/16/10/059. View

18.

Phenrat T, Kim H, Fagerlund F, Illangasekare T, Tilton R, Lowry G . Particle size distribution, concentration, and magnetic attraction affect transport of polymer-modified Fe(0) nanoparticles in sand columns. Environ Sci Technol. 2009; 43(13):5079-85. DOI: 10.1021/es900171v. View

19.

Guilger-Casagrande M, De Lima R . Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Fungi: A Review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2019; 7:287. PMC: 6818604. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00287. View

20.

Mukunthan K, Elumalai E, Patel T, Murty V . Catharanthus roseus: a natural source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013; 1(4):270-4. PMC: 3614229. DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60041-5. View