Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are one of the most versatile and accessible classes of nanomaterials. Their chemical stability, ease of colloidal synthesis, surface functionalization, and plasmonic resonance—tunable from the visible through the near-infrared—have made AuNPs the metal nanoparticle of choice for many applications. This article summarizes the chemical synthesis of AuNPs, particularly gold nanorods, with a focus on recent developments in shape control and surface modifications. Current applications using the photothermal properties of AuNPs, as well as AuNP connections to biology and the environmental sciences, will be discussed.

中文翻译：

---

纳米技术的黄金时期

金纳米颗粒（AuNPs）是功能最广泛且可访问的纳米材料类别之一。它们的化学稳定性，易于胶体合成，表面功能化和等离子体共振（可从可见光到近红外光进行调节）使AuNPs成为许多应用的首选金属纳米颗粒。本文总结了AuNPs的化学合成方法，特别是金纳米棒，重点关注形状控制和表面修饰的最新进展。将讨论使用AuNPs的光热特性以及与生物学和环境科学的AuNP连接的当前应用。