Microbial nanofactories: A mini-review on sustainable biosynthesis of nanomaterials

Abstract

Microorganisms, as emerging biosynthetic platforms, have shown significant potential in materials science, catalytic conversion, and biomedical fields. Their inherent morphologies and surface active groups can mediate the synthesis of special structured nanomaterials such as multi-level porous microspheres and high specific surface area nanorods that significantly optimize the physical and chemical properties of the materials. This efficient, economical, and sustainable synthesis paradigm provides an innovative approach for the precise preparation of nanomaterials. This article provides a systematic review of the microorganisms used in nanomaterials synthesis, which were extensively introduced, and types of nanomaterials synthesis utilizing microorganisms were systematically described. Approaches to nanomaterials synthesis utilizing microorganisms were elaborated, and the applications of microbially synthesized nanomaterials were comprehensively presented.