Platinum Nanoparticle Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) have emerged as versatile platforms in nanomedicine owing to their high atomic number, catalytic activity and tunable physicochemical properties. Synthetic routes span chemical reduction, physical methods and biogenic or “green” approaches utilising plant extracts or microbial systems. Control of size, morphology and aggregation state is achieved through variation of pH, temperature, reducing and stabilising agents, or by microfabrication techniques. Surface functionalisation with polymers, peptides or antibodies further tailors biocompatibility, colloidal stability and active targeting. In biomedical applications, PtNPs serve as radiosensitisers, photothermal agents and drug‐delivery vehicles, while intrinsic antioxidant and antimicrobial activities broaden their therapeutic scope. Photothermal conversion in the near‐infrared window enables localised hyperthermia, and high‐Z properties enhance radiotherapy. PtNPs also facilitate molecular imaging and biosensing through X‐ray absorption and catalytic signal amplification. Ongoing efforts address toxicological profiling, in vivo biodistribution and clearance to ensure translational viability. Collectively, advances in precision synthesis and functional design are paving the way for PtNPs to assume a central role in next‐generation diagnostics and therapeutics.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of multi‐core raspberry‐like PtNPs for enhanced photothermal therapy. By assembling ultra‐small platinum seeds into clustered architectures, researchers achieved efficient near‐infrared absorption despite platinum’s native ultraviolet‐dominant spectrum. In glioblastoma spheroid models, these multi‐core assemblies outperformed monodisperse seeds in heat generation and tumour ablation. High‐throughput microwell arrays enabled systematic evaluation of photothermal efficacy, while X‐ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed exceptional biostability and crystalline reshaping upon laser irradiation. This work underscores the value of controlled nanoarchitecture for maximising therapeutic index and introduces avenues for integrating high‐throughput fabrication with precision oncology.

Platinum Nanoparticle Synthesis and Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in platinum nanoparticle synthesis and biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Photothermal therapy: A treatment modality in which nanoparticles convert absorbed light, especially in the near‐infrared range, into heat to induce localised tumour ablation.

Green synthesis: Eco‐friendly fabrication of nanoparticles using biological agents such as plant extracts or microbes to reduce metal ions under mild conditions.

Surface functionalisation: Chemical modification of nanoparticle surfaces with ligands, polymers or biomolecules to enhance stability, biocompatibility and target specificity.

Biocompatibility: The ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application, minimising toxicity and immunogenicity.

High‐Z contrast agent: A material with high atomic number (Z) used to improve radiographic and radiotherapeutic outcomes by enhancing X‐ray absorption.

References

1. Chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay for the evaluation of the antitumor and antimetastatic activity of platinum-based drugs in association with the impact on the amino acid metabolism. Materials Today Bio (2023).
2. Design and evaluation of multi-core raspberry-like platinum nanoparticles for enhanced photothermal treatment. Communications Materials (2023).
3. A Comprehensive Review on the Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Application of Platinum Nanoparticles. Nanomaterials (2019).
4. Bacteriogenic Platinum Nanoparticles for Application in Nanomedicine. Frontiers in Chemistry (2021).