Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), a versatile family of nanomaterials with a long historical legacy, have been used in stained glass and artwork since ancient times before their recent scientific discovery. Numerous techniques are used to create them, including well-known chemical processes like the Turkevich and Brust-Schiffrin protocols, as well as physical processes like microwave and laser ablation. In order to create more sustainable particles utilizing natural extracts, biological and green synthesis techniques have recently emerged. AuNPs’ remarkable utility is directly attributable to their exceptional physicochemical properties, specifically their high surface area, which permits extensive functionalization, and their strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which enables them to absorb and scatter light with remarkable efficiency. These characteristics have encouraged their adoption in many different industries. AuNPs are used in gene therapy to deliver nucleic acids to specific cells, in biomedicine for targeted drug administration, and in enhanced biosensing for disease diagnostics. They are also crucial for cosmetics, where their antioxidant properties are utilized to make anti-aging treatments, and agriculture, where they can act as efficient delivery systems for pesticides and fertilizers. With a focus on creating novel hybrid nanomaterials and intelligent, multifunctional nanodevices for a range of applications, AuNPs have a promising future.
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