126 Biosensors Based on Nanomaterials and Nanodevices
6.3.1.1 Bottom-Up Chemical Synthesis
Bottom-up nanostructure synthesis methods include sol-gel, pyrolysis, hydrothermal,
micelles, and chemical precipitation from supersaturated conditions [51]. The addition of
organic ligands or capping materials can achieve the size and shape control of NPs by
inhibiting further crystal growth or changing the growth environment to an inert one
[51]. The chemical reduction of metal salts with a stabilizer is often used to synthesize
metal NPs. The stabilizer functions as a growth inhibitor in particular directions, thus
controlling the shape as well as providing colloidal stability [16]. A two-step process of
metal NP-seeded growth can produce diverse sh ...