Protein-Induced Shape Control of Noble Metal Nanoparticles

Shape control of nanoparticles results in tuned optical properties which are indeed beneficial for different bio-based applications. Shape controls in major cases, governed by toxic surfactants or harsh solvent conditions. To avoid the toxicity of surfactants used as shape controlling agent, different bio-inspired synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles are developed. Proteins play a significant role here to create anisotropic nanoparticles without the use of any toxic surfactants. Various shape and size of nanoparticles are developed so far based on proteins. This progress report summarizes such protein-induced shape controls of different noble metal nanoparticles and explain the recent understandings of this method from mechanistic point of view. The report also explains the new opportunities in this direction in near future.