Biofunctionalized silver nanoparticles: advances and prospects.

The unique size-dependent properties of nano scale materials have significantly impacted all spheres of human life making nanotechnology a promising field for biomedical applications. Metal nanoparticles like silver have gained significant interest over the years due to their remarkable optical, electrical and antimicrobial properties. However, the toxic nature and aggregation of these nanoparticles has limited its use in more optimized applications. Rational selection of therapeutically active biomolecules for functionalizing the surface of these particles will certainly increase the biocompatibility and biological applicability. The current review attempts to stress on the application domains of silver nanoparticles and also extends an overview on the current strategies involved in biofunctionalizing these particles for specific applications. This review is divided into three sections. The first section emphasizes the importance of silver nanoparticles and its biomedical applications. The need for functionalization and the various concepts and techniques involved in creating surface modified silver nanoparticles will be described in the second section; and the last section throws light on the various applications of the functionalized silver nanoparticles.