Ultrafast laser based “green” synthesis of non-toxic nanoparticles in aqueous solutions

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2008-12, Vol.93 (4), p.955-959
• Main Authors: Besner, S., Kabashin, A. V., Winnik, F. M., Meunier, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Femtosecond; Imaging; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials science; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Processes; Surfaces and Interfaces; Synthesis; Thin Films; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-008-4773-y

Inorganic nanoparticles offer novel promising properties for biological sensing and imaging, as well as in therapeutics. However, these applications are often complicated by the possible toxicity of conventional nanomaterials, arising as a result of inadequate purification procedures of nanoparticles obtained via synthetic pathways using toxic or non-biocompatible substances. We review novel femtosecond laser-assisted methods, which enable the preparation of metal nanomaterials in clean, biologically friendly aqueous environment (“green” synthesis) and thus completely solve the toxicity problem. The proposed methods, including laser ablation and fragmentation, make possible the production of stable metal colloids of extremely small size (∼2 nm) with a low coefficient of variation (15–25%). Those nanoparticles exhibit unique surface chemistry and can be used for bio-imaging, cancer treatment and nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.