Biomimetic Metallic Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications, Catalysis, and Beyond

Abstract

Nature has inspired scientists to develop green and sustainable nanomaterials with biomimetic functions. Particularly, biomimetic metallic nanostructures (biometal NPs) with unique optical, catalytic, and electrical properties have received tremendous attention in many fields, ranging from healthcare and agriculture to energy and environmental sciences. Biometal NPs synthesized by various natural resources such as plant extracts, biomolecules, bacteria, and even viruses possess unique biomimetic functions including but not limited to precise biorecognition, selfassembly, antibacterial/antiviral, and enzymatic properties. In this report, we first review the bioinspired synthesis of industrially important metal nanoparticles, followed by the discussion on how the different biological sources affect the biomimetic functions of the as-synthesized biometal NPs. Next, we review the recent advancement and applications of these biometal NPs in the fields of biomedical engineering and catalysis, which include the development of metallic nanobiosensors, biomedical imaging probes, nanotherapeutics (e.g., antimicrobial and photodynamic/photothermal therapeutic agents), as well as the design of multifunctional nanozymes and artificial metalloenzymes for chemical and biopharmaceutical industries. Finally, we highlight some of the latest advancements in nanobiomimicry and their emerging applications in clean energy, electronic devices, and data storage, which shows the game-changing role of biomimetic metallic nanostructures for various technological applications in the near future.

Green Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm and Antifungal Applications

“…Plants are the most commonly used biological substrates for the green synthesis of NPs because they are biocompatible and readily available [55,56]. It is possible to reduce and stabilise ions using a combination of biomolecules such as proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, citric acid, various enzymes, polysaccharides, phenols, saponins, terpenoids and vitamins found in plants extracts [57][58][59][60].…”

Challenges and Opportunities of Using Fluorescent Metal Nanocluster-Based Colorimetric Assays in Medicine

“…31 In another example, the AIE approach was achieved by changing pH (3.0 to 6.1) and subsequently by 5 h boiling, leading to highly fluorescent GSH-AgNCs with a core−shell Ag(0)@ Ag(I)−thiolate nanostructure and three species, Ag 10 SG 6 , Ag 10 SG 5 , and Ag 11 SG 7. 45 In this study, GSH-AgNCs were obtained with different sizes, while well-defined size GSH-AuNCs with high purity (Au 15 (SG) 13 ) could be achieved in a controlled kinetic reduction reaction at pH ∼ 2 together with the addition of borane tert-butylamine (TBAB) as a relatively weak reducing agent. 46 Moreover, the pH-controlled CO reduction approach causes GSH-AuNCs with well-defined sizes so that four discrete sizes of Au 10−12 , Au 15 , Au 18 , and Au 25 were obtained by adjusting the pH to 7.0, 9.0, 10.0, and 11.0, respectively, at a mole ratio of 2GSH/1HAuCl 4 at room temperature.…”

“…Moreover, they generally have a ligand shell and a metal core (i.e., Au, Ag, Pt, Cu) . Numerous investigations have demonstrated that the fluorescence of metal NCs is sensitive to changes in the microenvironment caused by changes in the electron-transferring mechanism between the metal core and the protected ligand . Several nanoplatforms based on fluorescence metal nanoclusters (FMNCs) have been developed for colorimetric assays because of their high water solubility, good biocompatibility, and rich surface chemistry for conjugation .…”

High-Resolution Tracking of Multiple Distributions in Metallic Nanostructures: Advanced Analysis Was Carried Out with Novel 3D Correlation Thermal Field-Flow Fractionation

“…Less rigorous and sustainable methodologies are critical for engineering advanced metal–polymer nanostructures with applications in energy storage and electronics; accordingly, it is necessary to combine separation and advanced analytical techniques for reliable characterizations of the inherent molecular heterogeneities. , Metallic nanostructures have multiple applications in energy storage, biosensors, drug delivery, wearable electronics, and robotics, to mention just a few. , However, these metallic nanostructures are inherently complex and heterogeneous, with multiple distributions in their molecular properties . As such, combinations of separation and advanced analytical techniques are prerequisites for the reliable definition, understanding, and fine-tuning of the fundamental nexus between (i) inherent molecular properties, (ii) physicochemical properties and multiple functionalities, and (iii) the pristine end-use applications …”

“…1,2 Metallic nanostructures have multiple applications in energy storage, biosensors, drug delivery, wearable electronics, and robotics, to mention just a few. 3,4 However, these metallic nanostructures are inherently complex and heterogeneous, with multiple distributions in their molecular properties. 5 As such, combinations of separation and advanced analytical techniques are prerequisites for the reliable definition, understanding, and fine-tuning of the fundamental nexus between (i) inherent molecular properties, (ii) physicochemical properties and multiple functionalities, and (iii) the pristine end-use applications.…”