Obtaining of Metal Nanoparticles Using Reducing Agents and Chitosan

Abstract

Unique features of metal nanoparticles (NPs) are attracting the attention of researchers from various fields of science, including biomedicine, microbiology, biotechnology, and agriculture. The biological activity of NPs depends on their size characteristics, composition, physicochemical properties, and method of preparation. Chemical, biological, and physical methods are used to obtain NPs. In this review, we discuss the main methods for the chemical synthesis of metal-based NPs. The advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used reducing agents are described. Particular attention is paid to the effect of the synthesis conditions on the NP properties. The potential use of polysaccharides, in particular, chitosan, as a reducing and stabilizing agent of an NP suspension is considered.