Selective Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles onto Potassium Hexaniobate: Structural Organisation with Bactericidal Properties

Silver‐based nanocomposites are known to act as biocides against a series of microorganisms and are largely studied as an alternative to substitute conventional antibiotics that show decreasing efficacy. In this work, an eco‐friendly method to synthesize silver nanoparticles assembled on the surface of hexaniobate crystals is reported. By means of ion exchange, K⁺ ions of layered potassium hexaniobate were partially substituted by Ag⁺ ions and the resulting material was exposed to UV light. The irradiation allowed the reduction of silver ions with consequent formation of silver nanoparticles located only on the hexaniobate surface, whereas Ag⁺ ions located in the interlayer space remained in the ionic form. Increasing UV‐light exposure times allowed controlling of the silver nanoparticle size. The antibacterial effects of the pristine potassium hexaniobate and of silver‐containing hexaniobate samples were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The antibacterial efficacy was determined to be related to the presence of silver in hexaniobate. An increasing activity against E. coli was observed with the decrease in silver nanoparticles size, suggesting that silver nanoparticles of distinct sizes interact differently with bacterial cell walls.     

Biodegradable electrospun poly(l-lactide) fibers containing antibacterial silver nanoparticles

Biodegradable poly(l-lactide) (PLA) ultrafine fibers containing nanosilver particles were prepared via electrospinning. Morphology of the Ag/PLA fibers and distribution of the silver nanoparticles were characterized. The release of silver ions from the Ag/PLA fibers and their antibacterial activities were investigated. These fibers showed antibacterial activities (microorganism reduction) of 98.5% and 94.2% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, because of the presence of the silver nanoparticles.     

Cellulose Filter Paper with Antibacterial Activity from Surface-Initiated ATRP

Poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) bruhes were successfully grafted on the cellulose filter papers via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Then the grafting PtBA brushes were transferred into poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in the presence of trifluoroactic acid (TFA), which can form chelate complexes with Ag⁺. The Ag⁺ was reduced in situ to obtain the silver nanoparticles decorated cellulose filter papers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the chemical structure of the resulting product. The morphologies of the filter paper at different stages of surface modification were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The silver nanoparticles decorated filter paper performed good antibacterial ability against E. coli as compared with the original filter paper and PAA modified filter paper.     

一步法制备PNIPAAm-g-PAN/PSt载银复合微球及其抗菌性能研究

以AgNO3为金属源,通过乙醇将与聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺接枝聚丙烯腈/聚苯乙烯（PNIPAAm-g-PAN/PSt）聚合物微球表面酰胺基团配位的银离子（Ag+）还原,一步法制备了PNIPAAm-g-PAN/PSt载银复合微球。通过傅立叶变换红外（FTIR）和紫外-可见光光谱表征发现,由Ag+还原所得的Ag纳米颗粒被成功地固载在PNIPAAm-g-PAN/PSt 微球上;用透射电子显微镜（TEM）对载银微球的大小和形态进行了表征;热重分析（TGA）结果表明,固载在微球表面的银纳米颗粒的含量（质量分数）为12%;抗菌实验结果表明,所制备的载银微球具有抗革兰氏阴性菌的活性。     

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle using flowers of Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T. Aiton and activity against pathogenic bacteria

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate solution are carried out using the flower extract of Calotropis gigantea. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectrophotometer, X-Ray diffractometer (XRD). Reduction of silver ions in the aqueous solution of silver during the reaction was observed by UV–vis spectroscopy. Crystalline nature of synthesized silver nanoparticles was studied by XRD pattern, refraction peak using the Scherrer’s equation. Antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles was performed by disc diffusion method against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles by flower extract of C. gigantea was found against B. subtilis (10 mm). Synthesised AgNPs has the efficient antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria.     

Graft copolymerization onto cellulose-based filter paper and its further development as silver nanoparticles loaded antibacterial food-packaging material

The present work describes ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) initiated graft copolymerization of acrylamide onto cellulose-based filter paper followed by entrapment of silver nanoparticles. The copolymerization was carried out in aqueous solution, containing 2 M acrylamide monomer and 16 mM N,N’-methylene bisacrylamide (MB) crosslinker. The optimum initiation time and grafting reaction temperature were found to be 15 min and 30 °C, respectively. The silver nanoparticles were loaded into grafted filter paper by equilibration in silver nitrate solution followed by citrate reduction. The formation of silver nanoparticles has been confirmed by TEM and SAED analysis. The novel nano silver loaded filter paper has been investigated for its antimicrobial properties against E.coli. This newly developed material shows strong antibacterial property and thus offers its candidature for possible use as antibacterial food-packaging material.     

Cryochemical synthesis and antibacterial activity of a hybrid composition based on Ag nanoparticles and dioxidine

Hybrid nanocomposites based on an dioxidine antimicrobial substance modified with silver were produced by means of cryochemical synthesis. TEM, UV-absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and surface analysis based on low-temperature argon adsorption showed the formation of hybrid nanosystems consisting of drug substance particles with a size of 50–300 nm including internal small Ag nanoparticles with a size of 2–40 nm. The obtained hybrid nanosystems showed higher antibacterial activity against E. coli 52, S. aureus 144, and M. cyaneum 98 than did the original dioxidine.     

Influence of speciation in the release profiles and antimicrobial performance of electrospun ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) fibers containing ionic silver ions and silver nanoparticles

In the present study, tailor-made ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) fibers containing different amounts of antimicrobial silver ions and nanoparticles were developed by electrospinning and subsequent thermal annealing. The morphology of the fibers was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and thermal properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. Speciation and controlled release of silver from the fibers was monitored by anodic stripping voltammetry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Before aging, 100 % of the silver recovered from the electrospun structures was in ionic form to be instantly released in contact with moisture with varying temperature-dependent kinetics. Thermal annealing of the fibers at 100 °C for 1, 2, and 4 days prompted the gradual transformation of 70, 93–94, and 98–99 % of the total silver into nanoparticles homogeneously distributed along the fibers, which were mostly retained within them, producing a substantial decrease in their release capacity. Speciation and release profiles from the fibers were correlated with their antibacterial performance against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteric. This study is a step forward in the understanding of silver-based electrospun antimicrobial polymers and puts forth the suitability of EVOH for the development of targeted delivery systems in a number of applications.     

Norvancomycin-capped silver nanoparticles: Synthesis and antibacterial activities against E. coli

The synthesis of norvancomycin (NVan)-capped silver nanoparticles (Ag@NVan) and their notable in vitro antibacterial activities against E. coli, a Gram-negative bacterial strain (GNB), are reported here. Mercaptoacetic acid-stabilized spherical silver nanoparticles with a diameter of 16±4 nm are prepared by a simple chemical reaction. The formation process of the silver nanoparticles is investigated by UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). NVan is then grafted to the terminal carboxyl of the mercaptoacetic acid in the presence of N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC). The TEM images of single bacteria treated with Ag@NVan show that plenty of Ag@NVan aggregate in the cell wall of E. coli. A possible antibacterial mechanism is proposed that silver nanoparticles may help destroy the stability of the outer membrane of E. coli, which makes NVan easier to bind to the nether part of the peptidoglycan structure. The antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles on their own, together with the rigid polyvalent interaction between Ag@NVan and cell wall, enables Ag@NVan to be an effective inhibitor of GNB. This kind of bionanocomposites might be used as novel bactericidal materials and we also provide an effective synthesis method for preparing functional bioconjugated nanoparticles here. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50373036) and Fok Ying Tung Education Foundation (Grant No. J20040212)     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activity of Poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl methacrylate) with Silver Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is expected to open some new aspects to fight and prevent diseases using atomic-scale tailoring of materials. The main aim of this study is to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Trichoderma viride (HQ438699); the metabolite of this fungus will help either in reduction of the silver nitrate-adding active materials which will be loaded on the surface of the produced AgNPs. Poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl methacrylate) copolymer (poly (AN-co-MMA)) was grafted with the prepared AgNPs. The poly(AN-co-MMA)/AgNPs were examined against ten different pathogenic bacterial strains, and the result was compared with another four different generic antibiotics. The produced poly(AN-co-MMA)/AgNPs showed high antibacterial activity compared with the four standard antibiotics. Moreover, the grafting of these AgNPs into the copolymer has potential application in the biomedical field.     

A comparative study of the antibacterial mechanisms of silver ion and silver nanoparticles by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

In this study, we performed the first comparative study of the antibacterial mechanisms of silver ion (Ag⁺) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on Escherichia coli (E. coli) using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Through a thorough analysis of the FTIR spectra of E. coli after silver treatment in the spectral regions corresponding to thiol group, protein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and DNA, we were able to reveal a multifaceted antibacterial mechanism of silver at the molecular level for both Ag⁺ and AgNPs. Features of such mechanism include: (1) silver complexes with thiol group; (2) silver induces protein misfolding; (3) silver causes loss of LPS from bacterial membrane; (4) silver changes the overall conformation of DNA. Despite the similarities between Ag⁺ and AgNPs with respect to their antibacterial mechanisms, we further revealed that Ag⁺ and AgNPs display quite different kinetics for silver-thiol complexation and loss of LPS, with Ag⁺ displaying fast kinetics and AgNPs displaying slow kinetics. At last, we proposed a hypothesis to interpret the observed different behaviors between Ag⁺ and AgNPs when interacting with E. coli.     

Preparation and Characterization of the Antibacterial Zn2+ or/and Ce3+ Loaded Montmorillonites

A series of modified montmorillonites including Zn²⁺ loaded montmorillonite (Zn/MMT), Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonite (Ce/MMT) and Zn²⁺‐Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonites (Zn‐Ce/MMT) were prepared by an ion‐exchange reaction, and characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specific surface areas, zeta potentials and antibacterial activity of the modified montmorillonites were also investigated. Zinc and cerium were proved to be present as bivalent zinc state and trivalent cerium state in the modified montmorillonites. For the modified montmorillonites, the d₀₀₁ basal spacings increased and the particles were formed of irregular shapes. The antibacterial activity of the modified montmorillonites was enhanced with the increase of specific surface areas and zeta potentials, and Zn²⁺‐Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonites displayed obvious synergistic antibacterial effect. When Zn/Ce atomic ratio was 1.24, the Zn‐Ce/MMT showed high antibacterial efficiency and broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity, possessing the MIC against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Mucor of 1500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg·L^?1, respectively.     

Silica–silver core–shell particles for antibacterial textile application

The silica–silver core–shell particles were synthesized by simple one pot chemical method and were employed on the cotton fabric as an antibacterial agent. Extremely small (1–2 nm) silver nanoparticles were attached on silica core particles of average 270 nm size. The optimum density of the nano silver particles was found which was sufficient to show good antibacterial activity as well as the suppression in their surface plasmon resonance responsible for the colour of the core–shell particle for antibacterial textile application. The change in the density and size of the particles in the shell were monitored and confirmed by direct evidence of their transmission electron micrographs and by studying surface plasmon resonance characteristics. The colony counting method of antibacterial activity testing showed excellent results and even the least silver containing core–shell particles showed 100% activity against bacterial concentration of 10⁴ colony counting units (cfu). The bonding between core–shell particles and cotton fabric was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity test confirmed the firm attachment of core–shell particles to the cotton fabric as a result 10 times washed sample was as good antibacterial as that of unwashed sample. The bacterial growth was inhibited on and beneath the coated fabric, at the same time no zone of inhibition which occurs due to the migration of silver ions into the medium was observed indicating immobilization of silver nanoparticles on silica and core–shell particles on fabric by strong bonding.     

Modification of natural fibers from Thespesia lampas plant by in situ generation of silver nanoparticles in single-step hydrothermal method

Ligno-cellulosic fibers have a great market and propose higher value addition and options to develop various products but they do not have inherent antimicrobial properties. In this study, a simple hydrothermal method was applied to build up antimicrobial properties to natural fibers by in situ-generating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in them. Herein, the ligno-cellulosic Thespesia lampas natural fibers were selected to develop antimicrobial activity using silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution by hydrothermal method. The modified fibers were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and antibacterial activity tests. The modified fibers had spherical AgNPs with an average size of 95?nm. The thermal stability of the modified fibers was higher than that of the unmodified fibers. The modified fibers exhibited good antibacterial activity against both the Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. These modified fibers can be considered as fillers in polymer matrices to make antibacterial composites.     

Deposition of Gold Nanoparticles on Polypropylene Nonwoven Pretreated by Dielectric Barrier Discharge and Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge

The aim of this study was to examine and compare the potentials of two different ambient air plasma treatments: volume dielectric barrier discharge and diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge, for the activation of polypropylene (PP) nonwovens surface. This was done in order to enhance the deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto PP surface. AuNPs were attached onto PP surface from colloidal solution prepared without stabilizers. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water absorption, and AuNPs uptake were used to assess the surface changes due to the plasma treatment, and to evaluate the durability of the achieved treatment effects. Finally, as a very important aspiration of the research, antibacterial activity of AuNPs loaded PP nonwovens against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was evaluated in vitro. The plasma modified PP nonwovens have highly improved wetting and sorption properties. The PP nonwovens loaded with 17–62 mg/kg AuNPs exhibit antibacterial activity against tested pathogens. Surprisingly, this activity was enhanced by the first sample rinsing.     

A surfactant‐free synthesis of the silica nanosphere‐supported ultrafine silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial effects

In this study, a facile, efficient, and surfactant‐free method to synthesize silica nanosphere‐supported ultrafine silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (~2.5 nm) was developed, and their antibacterial effects were investigated. In the synthesis process, the hydrolysis of 3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane was adopted to provide thiol groups and in situ reduce Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ for ultrafine AgNPs formation on the surface of the silica nanosphere. Electron microscopy characterization of the complex formed revealed that the ultrafine AgNPs were not agglomerated and grow without any surfactants because there were no excess electrons transported from the shell to reduce the silver ions to silver atoms. The antibacterial effects of the supported ultrafine AgNPs with the surfactant‐free surface were evaluated against the Escherichia coli even at very low dosage. After incubation with 20 μg/mL silica‐supported AgNPs up to 120 min, 99.7% of the E. coli were inactivated, according to the bacterial viability measured by flow cytometry.     

Effect of cationization on adsorption of silver nanoparticles on cotton surfaces and its antibacterial activity

Cotton was cationized by exhaustion method using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) as a cation-generating agent. Adsorption of silver nanoparticles on normal and cationized cotton was studied by exhaustion method at temperatures of 80°C and 100°C. Two exhaustion baths were used, containing nanosilver colloidal solutions stabilized by two different stabilizers and various concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of normal and cationized samples confirmed the existence of quaternary ammonium groups on cationized cellulose fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that crystallinity of the modified cellulose fibers was decreased. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed that the surface of the modified cotton was rougher than that of normal cotton. In addition, SEM images showed the presence of silver nanoparticles on the surface of treated fabric samples. The amount of silver particles adsorbed on the fabric samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. Antibacterial tests were performed against Escherichia coli bacteria as an indication of antibacterial effect of samples. Cationized cotton samples adsorbed more silver nanoparticles and then had greater ability to inhibit bacteria.     

Antimicrobial Potential of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles by Aaronsohnia factorovskyi Extract

The green biosynthesis of nanoparticles by plant extracts is an attractive and promising technique for medicinal applications. In the current study, we chose one of the daisy plants, Aaronsohnia factorovskyi (which grows in the Najd region, Saudi Arabia), to investigate its anti-microbial efficacy, in combination with silver nanoparticles. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, (Gram-negative) using the disc diffusion method, while the antifungal activity was assessed against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Helminthosporium rostratum, and Alternaria alternata. The potential phytoconstituents of the plant extracts were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques, the Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques, and Zeta potential analysis. The current study revealed the ability of the tested plant extract to convert silver ions to silver nanoparticles with an average diameter of 104–140 nm. Biogenic Aaronsohnia factorovskyi-silver nanoparticles (AF-AgNPs) showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone diameter to 19.00 ± 2.94 mm, and antifungal activity against Fusarium solani, which reduced the growth of fungal yarn to 1.5 mm. The innovation of the present study is that the green synthesis of NPs, which is simple, cost-effective, provides stable nano-materials, and can be an alternative for the large-scale synthesis of silver nanoparticles.     

Thermal and optical properties of silver-poly(methylmethacrylate) nanocomposites prepared by in-situ radical polymerization

Surface modified silver nanoparticles dispersed in chloroform were encapsulated in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) by in-situ radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile. The particle size distribution of colloidal silver nanoparticles was determined using transmission electron microscopy. The obtained transparent nanocomposite films were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Effective medium Maxwell-Garnett theory was used in order to explain optical properties of nanocomposite films taking into account inhomogeneous spatial distribution of silver nanoparticles in PMMA matrix. The influence of the silver nanoparticles on the thermal properties of the PMMA matrix was investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermo-oxidative stability of the PMMA in the presence of low content of inorganic phase is significantly improved. The glass transition temperatures of nanocomposites are slightly lower compared to the pure polymer.     

Antibacterial modification of cellulose fibers by grafting β-cyclodextrin and inclusion with ciprofloxacin

Antibacterial-modified cellulose fiber was prepared by covalently bonding β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with cellulose fiber via citric acid (CA) as crosslinking agent, followed by the inclusion of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CipHCl) as antibiotic. Effects of reaction time, temperature, concentration of β-cyclodextrin citrate (CA-β-CD) and pH on the grafting reaction were investigated, and the grafting ratio of β-CD onto cellulose fibers was 9.7 % at optimal conditions; the loading and releasing behaviors of CipHCl into/from β-CD grafted cellulose fibers were also revealed, the load amount of CipHCl into grafted cellulose fibers increased remarkably, and the release of CipHCl from the grafted cellulose fibers was prolonged. The microstructure, phase and thermal stability of modified cellulose fibers were characterized by FT-IR, ¹³C CPMAS NMR, X-ray diffraction and TGA. Considerably longer bacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus was observed for grafted fibers loading CipHCl compared to virgin ones. Optical and mechanical properties of the paper sheets decreased generally with more antibacterial-modified fibers added.