Metal nanoparticle size and shape can have a significant effect on metal biosorption.
Firstly, the size of the nanoparticle affects the surface area available for interaction with the surrounding environment. Smaller nanoparticles have a larger surface area per unit mass, which can increase the number of active sites available for metal adsorption. Additionally, smaller nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into biological matrices and tissues, which can enhance their ability to interact with and bind to metal ions.
Secondly, the shape of the nanoparticle can affect the orientation of the surface atoms and the distribution of surface charges, which can influence the binding affinity and selectivity of the nanoparticles for metal ions. For example, nanoparticles with high aspect ratios (such as nanorods or nanowires) have a larger surface area to volume ratio than spherical nanoparticles, which can increase their metal-binding capacity. Similarly, the crystallographic facets of the nanoparticle can have different surface energies and reactivity, which can affect the affinity of the nanoparticle for certain metal ions.
My article though not discusses nano-particles but micro-particles however, describes particle size and shape effect. Article Morphology of single inhalable particle inside public transi...
Overall, the size and shape of metal nanoparticles can affect the metal biosorption by altering the surface area, the accessibility of active sites, and the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles. These factors can ultimately determine the efficiency and selectivity of the nanoparticles for metal ion removal in different biological and environmental contexts.
Metal nanoparticle size and shape have a significant effect on metal biosorption. As the particle size decreases, the surface area increases, which increases the biosorption capacity. Therefore, smaller particles generally have higher biosorption capacities. On the other hand, the shape of the nanoparticles also has an effect, as the surface area is dependent on the shape of the particle. For example, spherical nanoparticles have a higher surface area compared to rods of the same size. This means that the spherical particles will have higher biosorption capacity than the rods.