Experts find use for nano particles of gold, silver

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Shillong: Precious metals like gold and silver are being in used for purposes other than in jewellery. Research has revealed that sub-nanoclusters of these precious metals can be used as capsules to deliver drugs to the target points in the human body and also help in diagnosis of diseases.

Another interesting feature of these precious metals is that they do not glitter at all stages. Nano particles of these metals constitute a black powder and gold crystals made out of nano particles are equally black and brittle. But the sub-nanoclusters of these precious metals composed of few atoms show intense emission of blue, red and green light in the visible range. These sub-nanoclusters, namely Gold-25, Gold-8 and Silver-8 have exposed these characteristics, according to T Pradeep, department of chemistry and sophisticated analytical instrument facility,IIT Madras.

Presenting the details of the study on gold and silver sub-nanoclusters at the 96th Indian Science Congress on Monday, Pradeep said, “These new materials are now available in gram quantities thanks to our synthetic methods. These sub-nanoclusters can be used as capsules to deliver drugs to the target points in the human body. This would avoid surgery or oral intake of medicines, which may not reach the targeted areas. Such particles are bio-compatible and there would be no adverse consequences.”