An Overview of Radiation-Based Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis

Because the optical properties of gold nanoparticles are programmable as a function of size and shape, they have spawned an emergent platform of nanogold-based devices for a variety of applications. The radiolytic synthesis, among the known procedures for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, offers proper control of the nucleation process without the use of reducing agents, in a single step, combined or not with simultaneous sterilisation. This paper examines and describes the use of radiation technologies in the synthesis and preparation of gold nanoparticles, with a focus on fundamental features of synthesis and radiation sources, as well as final applications for nanogold-based systems.