Fabrication of virus metal hybrid nanomaterials: An ideal reference for bio semiconductor

Abstract

Recently, Nanotechnology has made easier utilizing plant pathogens as a potential nanomaterial in biomedical applications. In this research work, we have exploited a devastating plant pathogenic virus of Squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV), as a nano-bio template (32 nm) to fabricate the gold and silver nanomaterials. This is achieved through the direct exposure of SLCCNV to gold chloride (HAuCl4) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) precursors at sunlight, resulted into SLCCNV-metallic-hybrid nanomaterials which are synthesized quick (∼5 min) and eco-friendly. However, virus hybrid nanomaterials are fabricated through the nucleation and growth of metal precursors over the pH-activated capsid of SLCCNV. Under the controlled fabrication process, it produced a highly arrayed virus-metallic-hybrid nanomaterial at nanoscale size limit. Its properties are thoroughly studied through spectroscopic techniques (UV–Vis, DLS, Raman) and electron microscopy (HRTEM & FESEM). In a follow-up study of cytotoxicity assay, the virus and its fabricated nanomaterials show better biocompatibility features even at high concentrations. Finally, the electrical conductivities of virus-metallic-hybrid nanomaterials (Au & Ag) are determined by simple “lab on a chip” system and Keithley's pico-ammeter. The result of electrical conductivity measurement revealed that hybrid nanomaterials have greater electrical conductive properties within the band-gap of semi-conductive materials. It is truly remarkable that a plant virus associated metal nanomaterials can be efficiently used as bio-semi-conductors which are the ideal one for biomedical applications.