Biomimetic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Viruses: A Review of Recent Advancements

The demand for sustainable and eco-friendly methods for nanomaterial synthesis has spurred significant interest in biomimetic approaches. Among these, the use of viruses as templates for the controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has emerged as a particularly promising area. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the biomimetic synthesis of AgNPs utilizing various viral platforms. It highlights the unique advantages offered by viruses, such as their well-defined nanostructures, self-assembly capabilities, genetic programmability, and biocompatibility, which enable precise control over the size, shape, and morphology of the synthesized AgNPs. The review discusses the mechanisms involved in virus-mediated AgNP formation, including the reduction of silver ions and subsequent nucleation and growth on the viral surface. Furthermore, it explores the diverse range of viruses employed, such as bacteriophages (e.g., M13, T7), plant viruses (e.g., Tobacco mosaic virus), and even animal viruses, and their specific contributions to templating different AgNP architectures. The review also delves into the expanding applications of these virus-templated AgNPs in fields like antimicrobial agents, biosensing, catalysis, and targeted drug delivery, owing to their enhanced monodispersity, stability, and biocompatibility. Finally, it addresses the challenges and future directions in this evolving field, including scalability, optimization of synthesis parameters, and ensuring long-term stability and in vivo efficacy for biomedical applications.