Optical, structural and antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles and DNA-templated silver nanoclusters

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly considered for biomedical applications as drug-delivery carriers, imaging probes and antibacterial agents. Silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) represent another subclass of nanoscale silver. AgNCs are a promising tool for nanomedicine due to their small size, structural homogeneity, antibacterial activity and fluorescence, which arises from their molecule-like electron configurations. The template-assisted synthesis of AgNCs relies on organic molecules that act as polydentate ligands. In particular, single-stranded nucleic acids reproducibly scaffold AgNCs to provide fluorescent, biocompatible materials that are incorporable in other formulations. This mini review outlines the design and characterization of AgNPs and DNA-templated AgNCs, discusses factors that affect their physicochemical and biological properties, and highlights applications of these materials as antibacterial agents and biosensors.

Automated summary

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) are both promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications. AgNPs are versatile drug-delivery carriers, imaging probes, and antibacterial agents, while AgNCs exhibit fluorescence and antibacterial activity due to their molecule-like electron configurations. The template-assisted synthesis of AgNCs using organic molecules as ligands, particularly single-stranded nucleic acids, provides fluorescent and biocompatible materials for other formulations. This mini review discusses the design, characterization, and applications of both AgNPs and DNA-templated AgNCs in antibacterial agents and biosensors.