Gold nanowire networks (AuNWNs) with average widths of 17.74 nm (AuNWN(1)) or 23.54 nm (AuNWN(2)) were synthesized by direct reduction of HAuCl(4) with sodium borohydride powder in deep eutectic solvents, such as ethaline or reline, at 40 °C. Their width and length were dependent on the type of solvent and the NaBH(4)/HAuCl(4) molar ratio (32 in ethaline and 5.2 in reline). High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis of the gold nanowire networks showed clear lattice fringes of polycrystalline nanopowder of d = 2.36, 2.04, 1.44, and 1.23 Å corresponding to the (111), (200), (220), or (311) crystallographic planes of face centered cubic gold. The purified AuNWNs were used as catalysts for the chemical reduction of p-nitroaniline to diaminophenylene with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution. The reaction was monitored in real time by UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that the reduction process is six times faster in the presence of gold nanowire networks stabilized by urea from the reline (AuNWN(2)) than in the presence of gold nanowire networks stabilized by ethylene glycol from ethaline (AuNWN(1)). This is due to a higher number of corners and edges on the gold nanowires synthesized in reline than on those synthesized in ethaline as proven by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns recorded for both types of gold nanowire networks. Nevertheless, both types of nanomaterials determined short times of reaction and high conversion of p-nitroaniline to diaminophenylene. These gold nanomaterials represent a new addition to a new generation of catalysts: gold based catalysts.

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The development of drug-resistant microorganisms has become a critical issue for modern medicine and drug discovery and development with severe socio-economic and ecological implications. Since standard and conventional treatment options are generally inefficient, leading to infection persistence and spreading, novel strategies are fundamentally necessary in order to avoid serious global health problems. In this regard, both metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrated increased effectiveness as nanobiocides due to intrinsic antimicrobial properties and as nanocarriers for antimicrobial drugs. Among them, gold, silver, copper, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, and iron oxide NPs are the most preferred, owing to their proven antimicrobial mechanisms and bio/cytocompatibility. Furthermore, inorganic NPs can be incorporated or attached to organic/inorganic films, thus broadening their application within implant or catheter coatings and wound dressings. In this context, this paper aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the most recent studies investigating inorganic NPs and their integration into composite films designed for antimicrobial therapies.

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Functionalization of nanomaterials can enhance and modulate their properties and behaviour, enabling characteristics suitable for medical applications. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles are one of the most popular types of nanomaterials used in this field, and many technologies being already translated in clinical practice. This article makes a summary of the surface modification and functionalization approaches presented lately in the scientific literature for improving or modulating magnetite nanoparticles for their applications in nanomedicine.