SILVER NANOPARTICLES: AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY IN DRUG DELIVERY

Vivek and Dr. Dinesh Kaushik*

ABSTRACT

Over the last few decades, nanoparticles of novel metals such as silver exhibited significantly distinct biological, physical and chemical properties from their bulk counterparts. Nano-size particles of less than 1000 nm in diameter are currently attracting growing attention for the wide range of new applications in various fields of industry. Such powders can exhibit properties that differ substantially from those of bulk materials, as a result of small particle dimension, high surface area, quantum confinement and other effects. Most of the unique properties of nanoparticles require not only the particles to be of Nano-sized, but also the particles be dispersed without cluster. Discoveries in the past decade have clearly demonstrated that the electromagnetic, optical and catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles are strongly influenced by shape, size and size distribution, which are often varied by varying the synthetic methods, reducing agents and stabilizers. Consequently, this review presents different methods of preparation silver nanoparticles and application of these nanoparticles in various fields.

Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Antibacterial, Green chemistry, Nanotechnology.