Synthesis, properties, and biological application of perfect crystal gold nanowires: a review

Abstract

In the last decade, numerous kinds of nanoscale materials have been created. Their characteristics are critically influenced by their synthetic or fabrication methods. In this review article, we introduce perfect crystal gold nanowires (Au NWs) synthesized by vapor transport method and summarize their material properties and biological applications. Single-crystalline Au NWs having no defects or twins show unique mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical characteristics. Notably, they are exceptionally competent in penetrating cells or tissues with minimum biological damage and in the electrical analysis and manipulation of biological activities in the cells and/or tissues. It is expected that the Au NWs would give us technological breakthrough in diverse applications such as nanoscale functional components as well as new insights in fundamental material science.