Reducing Agents in Colloidal Nanoparticle Synthesis

Nanoparticles can be synthesised via a number of methods, including chemical vapor deposition, ball milling, laser ablation, thermal decomposition and chemical reduction. Chemical reduction is usually preferred, due to its ease and cost-effectiveness. There are several types of compound used as reducing agents in nanoparticle synthesis, and one recent development is the use of biological entities as environmentally friendly reductants.