nanoComposix is now a Fortis Life Sciences Company. Learn more + Email Newsletter Signup

Nanoparticles by Material

Gold

Inert and biocompatible with precise control over size and shape, gold is one of the most versatile nanomaterials. Gold nanoparticles are available as a stable solution in water, in organic solvents, coated with silica, or bio-conjugated. Gold nanorods and gold nanoshells have tunable resonances in the visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum.

Silver

Silver nanoparticles are widely used as a broad-based antimicrobial when incorporated into bandages, paints, keyboard and clothing. Like gold, silver has a strong plasmon resonance that can be tuned by adjusting the particle shape (e.g. spheres, cubes and plates). When carefully dried, silver nanoparticles can be re-suspended without aggregation. Silver can also be used to coat gold nanoparticles to produce bi-metallic core/shell nanoparticles.

Silica

Silica nanoparticles are available in a wide variety of sizes with uniform diameters. Silica can also be used as a coating to encapsulate other nanoparticles such as gold or silver which increases the nanoparticle’s stability and makes the nanoparticles compatible with a wide range of solvents and matrices. When functionalized with an amine surface, polymers (e.g. PEG) and biomolecules (e.g. antibodies, DNA) can be covalently linked to the particle surface.

Platinum

Platinum nanoparticles are commonly used as a catalyst for a variety of chemical reactions. Four different sizes of monodisperse platinum particles are available ranging in size from 5 to 70 nm are available.

Titanium Dioxide (Titania)

Titanium dioxide is a high index material that has strong absorption and scattering optical properties. It is a common additive in sunscreens, paint and food and is one of the most common nanoparticles commercially available. TiO2 in spherical, wire and rod shaped geometries are available. In addition, we have developed methods to encapsulate metal nanoparticles with a thin shell of TiO2. When surface functionalized, the TiO2 nanoparticles can be transferred into a variety of different composites.

Iron (Magnetite)

Magnetite (Fe3O4) is a super paramagnetic nanoparticle that has a strong magnetic response under an applied magnetic field. This material can be used as a ferrofluid or can be functionalized to specifically bind to other, larger particles or to biological entities (cells).