Bismuth metallic nanoparticles
Résumé
Numerous studies are published on the synthesis and characterization of bismuth oxide or bismuth sulfide nanoparticles. Only a few works are dealing with the synthesis and applications of spherical bismuth metallic nanoparticles. However, this field of research is emerging and so in this chapter, different strategies to synthesize spherical metallic bismuth nanoparticles are reviewed. Two pathways are referenced: the top-down and, more described, bottom-up approaches. All procedures are critically compared to show how they could be improved and directed towards greener strategies. The different capping agents (polymers, hydrophilic or hydrophobic monomers) used to control size, morphology, and stability of these nanoparticles are discussed, as well as the choice of solvent. The relevance of heating techniques (classical heating or irradiation under microwaves) and purification are compared to green processes. Finally, bismuth metallic nanoparticles are discussed in different medical applications, such as theranostic applications as X-ray contrast agent, or X-ray radiosensitizers.