Anju Chadha

Nanoparticles of noble metals such as gold, silver, and platinum are useful for important applications in catalysis and biomedical science. Biological methods of nanofabrication include the use of easily available plants, microbes, and enzymes. This chapter presents an overview of microbial methods of preparing gold nanoparticles and the use of these gold nanoparticles in catalytic applications. Mainly, the catalytic performance of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles toward protecting the environment from aromatic toxic pollutants and textile dyes is discussed with relevant examples. The method of preparation of supported gold nanoparticles catalysts using conventional chemical and microbial methods for the hydrogenation/reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline is presented. Toward sustainable catalysis, the application of bio-supported nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles, palladium nanoparticles, and the combination), as heterogeneous catalysts for various chemical reactions like oxidation, reduction, and coupling, to yield value-added fine chemicals and intermediates under environmentally benign conditions is elaborated.