Why Do Nanoparticles Use Metals Like Gold & Silver?

[krishna mohan]

Fairly straightforward question: Why are nanoparticles generally made using metal, that too generally using gold, silver etc?

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

I think it's because it's relatively easy. Any physics department can quite readily set up a lab to produce and measure metal nanoparticles. But I suppose the technical reason is that metals can melt and form droplets, which then solidify as nanoparticles. Ceramics and organic materials don't necessarily melt and evaporate as well.

 

[alxm]

Yeah, I'm no nanoperson, but I'd go with 'ease'. Faraday famously figured out how to make gold and silver nanoparticles 150 years ago.

 

[abhi2005singh]

Ease of formation is not the only reason. These nanoparticles have use as biosensors and other lab-on-chip sensors due to the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance.