Formation of Silver Nanoparticles by Electron Transfer in Peptides and c-Cytochromes

The reduction of Ag⁺ ions to Ag⁰ atoms is a highly endergonic reaction step, only the aggregation to Ag_n clusters leads to an exergonic process. These elementary chemical reactions play a decisive role if Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) are generated by electron transfer (ET) reactions to Ag⁺ ions. We studied the formation of AgNPs in peptides by photoinduced ET, and in c-cytochromes by ET from their Fe²⁺/hemes. Our earlier photoinduced experiments in peptides had demonstrated that histidine prevents AgNP formation. We have now observed that AgNPs can be easily synthesized with less-efficient Ag⁺-binding amino acids, and the rate increases in the order lysine<asparagine<aspartate<serine. The ability of Fe²⁺/hemes of c-cytochromes to reduce Ag⁺ to AgNPs was studied in an enzymatic experiment and with living bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens (Gs).     

Formation mechanism of nanostructured Ag films from Ag2O particles using a sonoprocess

Nanostructured Ag films composed of nanoparticles and nanorods can be formed by the ultrasonication of ethanol solutions containing Ag₂O particles. The present work examined the formation process of these films from ethanol solutions by two different agitation methods, including ultrasonication and mechanical stirring. The mass-transfer process from Ag₂O particles to ethanol solvent is accelerated by the mechanical effects of ultrasound. Ag⁺ ions and intermediately reduced Ag clusters were released into the ethanol. These Ag⁺ ions and Ag clusters provide absorption bands at 210, 275 and 300 nm in UV-vis spectra. These bands were assigned to the absorption of Ag⁺, Ag ₄ ²⁺ and Ag_n (n?≈?3). The Ag_n clusters that readily grow to become Ag nanoparticles were formed due to the surface reaction of Ag₂O particles with ethanol under ultrasonication. The reactions of Ag⁺ ions in ethanol to form Ag nanomaterials (through the formation of Ag ₄ ²⁺ clusters) were also accelerated by ultrasonication.     

Ag Clusters as Active Species for HC-SCR Over Ag-Zeolites

The addition of hydrogen in the reaction atmosphere is effective in promoting the activity of Ag/alumina and Ag-zeolites on the selective reduction of NO by hydrocarbons (HC-SCR) at low temperatures. The increment of NO conversion over Ag-MFI corresponds to the periodic addition of hydrogen into C₃H₈-SCR conditions. The UV–VIS spectra of Ag-MFI have revealed that the addition of hydrogen results in the formation of Ag_n^δ+ clusters due to partial reduction and agglomeration of Ag species. The coincidence of the formation of the Ag_n^δ+ clusters and the increment of NO conversion suggests that Ag_n^δ+ clusters are the highly active species for HC-SCR. From analysis by H₂-TPR, UV–VIS, and EXAFS, the structure of Ag_n^δ+ clusters on Ag-MFI is identified as being Ag₄²⁺ on average. The formation of Ag clusters was strongly affected by the type of zeolites: The major Ag species are Ag⁺ ions for MOR, Ag_n^δ+ clusters for MFI and BEA, and relatively large metallic Ag_mparticles for Y. The sequence of Ag agglomeration (MOR < MFI < BEA < Y) is in accordance with the strength of the acid sites of zeolites. It can be expected that the interaction between the positive charge of Ag_n^δ+ clusters and acid sites, i.e., the ion-exchange site of zeolites, stabilizes Ag_n^δ+ clusters. The type of Ag species under HC-SCR conditions depends on the concentration of gas-phase oxidants (NO, O₂) and reductants (H₂, HC), and also on the number and strength of the zeolite acid sites.     

Oxidative Dissolution of Silver Nanoparticles by Dioxygen: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study

We have recently reported a kinetic and mechanistic study on oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by H₂O₂. In the present study, the parameters that govern the dissolution of AgNPs by O₂ were revealed by using UV/Vis spectrophotometry. Under the same reaction conditions (Tris‐HOAc, pH 8.5, I=0.1 M at 25 °C) the apparent dissolution rate (k_app) of AgNPs (10±2.8 nm) by O₂ is about 100‐fold slower than that of H₂O₂. The reaction rate is first‐order with respect to [Ag⁰], [O₂], and [Tris]_T, and inverse first‐order with respect to [Ag⁺] (where [Ag⁰]=total concentration of Ag metal and [Tris]_T=total concentration of Tris). The rate constant is dependent on the size of AgNPs. No free superoxide (O₂⁻) and hydroxyl radical (⋅OH) were detected by trapping experiments. On the basis of kinetic and trapping experiments, an amine‐activated pathway for the oxidation of AgNPs by O₂ is proposed.     

Silbermercaptide und -mercaptokomplexe

The complex formation of silver(I) has been studied with the anions of simple mercaptans RSH which have been rendered soluble by replacing some H in the substituent R by OH. All equilibria constants refer to a solvent of ionic strength μ = 0,1 and 20°C. Monothioglycol HO? CH₂? CH₂? SH (pK = 9.48) forms an amorphous insoluble mercaptide {AgSR} (s), ionic product [Ag⁺] [SR^?] = 10^?19.7. The solution in equilibrium with the solid contains the molecule AgSR at a constant concentration of 10^?6.7 M which furnishes the formation constant of the 1:1-complex: K₁ = 10^{13. 0}. The solid is soluble in excess of mercaptide (AgSR+SR^? → Ag(SR)₂^?: K₂ = 10^{4. 8}) as well as in an excess of silver ion (AgSR + Ag⁺ → Ag₂SR⁺K ≈? 10⁶). With the bulky monothiopentaerythrite (HO? CH₂? )₃C? CH₂? SH (pK = 9.89) no precipitation occurs with silver when the mercaptan concentration is below 10^{?3. 2}M. A single polynuclear Ag₁₀(SR)₉⁺ (β_10.9 = 10¹⁷⁵) is formed in acidic solutions which breaks up with the formation of Ag₂SR⁺ (β_2.1 = 10^19.0) when an excess of silver ion is added. Below the mononuclear wall ([RS]_total < 10^?6) Ag₂SR⁺ is formed via the mononuclear AgSR (K₁ = 10¹³). At higher mercaptan concentrations ([RS]_tot > 10^?3.2) an amorphous precipitate is formed which has almost the same solubility product as silver thioglycolate ([Ag⁺] [SR^?] = 10^?19.1). Apparently silver(I) forms with mercaptans always the complexes Ag₂SR⁺, AgSR and Ag(SR)₂^?. Above the mononuclear wall, these species condense to chain-like polynuclears which are cations Ag(SRAg)_n⁺ in presence of an excess of Ag⁺, and anions SR (AgSR)_n^? when the concentration [RS^?] is larger than [Ag⁺]. Usually n becomes rapidly very large as soon as the condensation starts (n → ∞: precipitate). The decanuclear Ag(SRAg)₉⁺ formed with thiopentaerythrit is somewhat more stable than the shorter chains (n < 9) and larger chains (n > 9), because it can tangle up to a ball by coordination of bridging mercapto-sulfur to the terminal silver ions (figure 12, page 2179). This ball seems to be further stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the many alcoholic OH groups of the substituent R = (HO? CH₂)₃C? CH₂? . The stability of the bonds Ag? S, however, is little influenced by the substituent R which carries the mercaptide sulfure.     

Thermal and MS studies of silver(I) 2,2-dimethylbutyrate complexes with tertiary phosphines and their application for CVD of silver films

[Ag₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₂] (1), [Ag₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₂(PMe₃)₂] (2) and [Ag₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₂(PEt₃)₂] (3) were prepared and characterized by MS-EI; ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, variable temperature IR (VT-IR) spectroscopy and thermal analysis. MS and VT-IR data analysis suggests bidentate bridging carboxylates and monodentately bonded phosphines in the solid phase. The same methods used for gas phase analysis of 1–2 proved [(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)Ag₂]⁺ as the main ion, which could be transported in the gas phase during the CVD process. In the case of 3, similar intensity to the latter ion revealed [Ag{P(C₂H₅)}]⁺ and it is responsible for the CVD performance of 3. Thermal analysis results revealed that decomposition of 1–3 proceed in one endothermic process, with metallic silver formation between 197 and 220 °C. In the case of 1, VT-IR studies of the gaseous decomposition products demonstrate the presence of ester molecules and CO₂, whereas for 2 the main gaseous product appeared to be acid anhydride. Therefore, 2 was not used as a silver CVD precursor. Metallic layers were produced from 3 in hot-wall CVD experiments, (between 200 and 280 °C), under a total reactor pressure of 2.0 mbar, using argon as a carrier gas. Thin films deposited on Si(1 1 1) substrate were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Silver films obtained at moderate temperature (220–250 °C) revealed a thickness below 50 nm, and were whitish colored and slightly matt.     

Core Modulation of 70‐Nuclei Core‐Shell Silver Nanoclusters

The reaction of {(HNEt₃)₂[Ag₁₀(tBuC₆H₄S)₁₂]}_n, Ag₂O, Na₂MoO₄, and m‐methoxybenzoic acid (Hmbc) in CH₃OH/CH₂Cl₂ led to yellow crystals of [Ag₄S₄ (MoO₄)₅@Ag₆₆] (SD/Ag70b; SD=SunDi) only, while in the presence of DMF, additional dark‐red crystals of [Ag₁₀@ (MoO₄)₇@Ag₆₀] (SD/Ag70a) were obtained. SD/Ag70b consists of five MoO₄^2? ions wrapped by a shell of 66 Ag atoms, while SD/Ag70a contains a rare Ag₁₀ kernel consisting of five tetrahedra sharing faces and edges, surrounded by seven MoO₄^2? ions enclosed in a shell of 60 Ag atoms. The formation of the Ag₁₀ kernel originates from a reduction reaction during the self‐assembly process that involves DMF. This work provides the structural information of a unique Ag₁₀ kernel (five fused Ag₄ tetrahedra) and paves an avenue to trap elusive silver species with hierarchical multi‐shell silver nanocluster assemblies with the help of anion templates.     

Preparation and characterization of stable monodisperse silver nanoparticles via photoreduction

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by UV irradiation of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ aqueous solution using poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) as both reducing and stabilizing agents. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed from the appearance of surface plasmon absorption maxima around 420 nm. It was found that the formation rate of silver nanoparticles from Ag₂O was much quicker than that from AgNO₃, and the absorption intensity increased with PVP concentration as well as irradiation time. The maximum absorption wavelength (λ_max) was blue shift with increasing PVP content until 8 times concentration of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ (wt%). The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the resultant particles were 4–6 nm in size, monodisperse and uniform particle size distribution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrated that the colloidal nanoparticles were the pure silver. In addition, the silver nanoparticles prepared by the method were stable in aqueous solution over a period of 6 months at room temperature (25 °C).     

Photochemical properties of Ag ion clusters included within ZSM-5 zeolites prepared by an ion-exchange method

Photoluminescence investigations of the Ag ion-exchanged ZSM-5 (Ag⁺ /ZSM-5) zeolite revealed that a Ag ion cluster (Agⁿ _m ⁺) exists in the pore structure of ZSM-5 exhibiting photoluminesm cence at 380 nm upon excitation at 332 nm. UV irradiation ( = 285 nm) of Ag⁺ /ZSM-5 at 77 K leads to the transformation of Agⁿ _m ⁺ into a different Ag ion cluster (Ag_m ^(n-1)+) which exhibits photoluminescence at 465 nm upon excitation at 315 nm. This photo-transformation of the Ag ion clusters was found to be thermally reversible under vacuum. It was demonstrated that an electron transfer from the photo-excited Al³⁺ -O^2- to Agⁿ _m ⁺ plays a significant role in this process. In the presence of oxygen, UV irradiation of Ag⁺ /ZSM-5 leads to the formation of O₂- instead of an Ag ion cluster (Ag_m ^(n-1)+), suggesting that oxygen acts as an efficient electron scavenger, which interferes with the electron capture of Agⁿ _m ⁺ under UV irradiation at 285 nm.     

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles supported on silica aerogel using gamma radiolysis

Silver clusters on SiO₂ support have been synthesized using ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation. The irradiation of Ag⁺ in aqueous suspension of SiO₂ in the presence of 0.2 mol dm⁻³ isopropanol resulted in the formation of yellow suspension. The absorption spectrum showed a band at 408 nm corresponding to typical characteristic surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles. The effect of Ag⁺ concentration on the formation of Ag cluster indicated that the size of Ag clusters vary with Ag⁺ concentration, which was varied from 4×10⁻⁴ to 5×10⁻³ mol dm⁻³. The results showed that Ag clusters are stable in the pH range of 2–9 and start agglomerating in the alkaline region at pH above 9. The effect of radiation dose rate and ratio of Ag⁺/SiO₂ on the formation of Ag clusters have also been investigated. The prepared clusters have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed the particle size of Ag clusters to be in the range of 10–20 nm.     

Kinetics of Ag/TiO2-photocatalyzed iodide ion oxidation

Abstract  

Ag-doped TiO₂ (anatase) samples (mass fraction w _Ag = 0.01 and w _Ag = 0.02) of 15.9 and 14.5 nm mean particle size and 11.46 and 10.14 m² g⁻¹ BET surface area were prepared by photodeposition. Doping results in surface plasmon resonance of the metallic silver nanoclusters at around 500 nm, but the absorption edge remains unaltered at 365 nm. Ag-doping remarkably enhances the photooxidation of iodide ion under UV light; iodine formation with Ag/TiO₂ with w _Ag = 0.01 is 16 times greater than with bare TiO₂. The reaction conforms to Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics with regard to both I⁻ and O₂. Increase of pH slows down iodine formation and sacrificial electron donors arrest the reaction. Pre-sonication of the catalyst slurry hinders the photocatalysis. Generation of iodine is much greater in acetonitrile than in water. Under the experimental conditions, Ag/TiO₂ with w _Ag = 0.01 is more efficient than Ag/TiO₂ with w _Ag = 0.02, and the enhanced photocatalysis is likely to be because of suppression of electron–hole pair recombination. Kinetic analysis reveals that increasing the Ag mass fraction from 0.01 to 0.02 enhances the surface pseudo-first-order rate constant but inhibits the adsorption of iodide ion and the oxygen molecule on the illuminated oxide surface.     

反应性模板法合成硫化银中空球-银纳米粒子异质结构

以Cu₂S中空球为反应性模板, 通过在水溶液中与银离子的阳离子交换和氧化还原反应制备了大小均匀的Ag₂S中空球-Ag纳米粒子异质结构, 即Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球. 该异质结构中每个Ag₂S中空球的直径约为600 nm, 壁厚约20–30 nm, 其表面均附着一个Ag纳米粒子. 采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和能量色散X射线谱(EDS)对所得Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球的结构和组成进行了表征. 若以CuS中空球为反应性模板, 在相似转化条件下则主要得到不含Ag粒子的Ag₂S中空球. 该结果表明, Cu₂S中的Cu(I)的还原性在Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球的形成中发挥了重要作用. 通过对所制备的Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球进行二次生长, 还可以得到Ag₂S中空球的半球表面均被Ag膜所包覆的Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球.     

Theoretical study on contribution of charge transfer effect to surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra of pyridine adsorbed on Ag(n) (n = 2-8) clusters

We investigate surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of pyridine–Ag_n (n = 2–8) complexes by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods. In simulated normal Raman scattering (NRS) spectra, profiles of pyridine–Ag_n (n = 2–8) complexes are analogical with that of isolated pyridine. Nevertheless, calculated pre-SERS spectra are strongly dependent on electronic transition states of new complexes. Wavelengths at 335 nm, 394.8 nm, 316.9 nm and 342.6 nm, which are nearly resonant with pure charge transfer excitation states, are adopted as incident light when simulating pre-SERS spectra for pyridine–Ag_n (n = 2–8) complexes, respectively. We obtain enhancement factors from 10³ to 10⁵ in pre-SERS spectra compared with corresponding NRS spectra. The obvious increase in Raman intensities mainly result from charge transfer resonance Raman enhancement. A charge difference densities (CDDs) methodology is adopted in describing chemical enhancement mechanism. This methodology aims at visualizing charge transfer from Ag_n (n = 2–8) clusters to pyridine on resonant electronic transition, which is one of the most direct evidences for chemical enhancement mechanism.     

Electron Transfer in Peptides: On the Formation of Silver Nanoparticles

Some microorganisms perform anaerobic mineral respiration by reducing metal ions to metal nanoparticles, using peptide aggregates as medium for electron transfer (ET). Such a reaction type is investigated here with model peptides and silver as the metal. Surprisingly, Ag⁺ ions bound by peptides with histidine as the Ag⁺‐binding amino acid and tyrosine as photoinducible electron donor cannot be reduced to Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) under ET conditions because the peptide prevents the aggregation of Ag atoms to form AgNPs. Only in the presence of chloride ions, which generate AgCl microcrystals in the peptide matrix, does the synthesis of AgNPs occur. The reaction starts with the formation of 100 nm Ag@AgCl/peptide nanocomposites which are cleaved into 15 nm AgNPs. This defined transformation from large nanoparticles into small ones is in contrast to the usually observed Ostwald ripening processes and can be followed in detail by studying time‐resolved UV/Vis spectra which exhibit an isosbestic point.     

Biological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Obtained from T. arjuna Bark Extract as Both Reducing and Capping Agent

A simple, environmentally benign and cost effective method is reported to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous solution of AgNO₃ and T. Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) bark extract, which act as both reducing and capping agent, under microwave irradiation. The formation of AgNPs was monitored by recording optical absorption spectra for surface plasmon resonance observed at ~425 nm. The bioactive polyphenols extracted from the plant extract are responsible for reduction of Ag⁺ → Ag⁰. During the formation of AgNPs, the reaction mixture showed gradual decrease in pH and an increase in reduction potential. The powder XRD pattern of AgNPs confirmed their fcc structure. An FTIR spectrum showed the presence of plant-residues adsorbed on the surface of AgNPs, which indicates the in situ bio-capping. The TG curve of AgNPs showed ~30 % weight loss due to thermal degradation of these plant-residues. The FE-SEM images showed spherical shape of AgNPs with an average particle size of 10–15 nm. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Ag as a major element. The biological evaluation of AgNPs showed higher inhibitory action for both bacteria and yeast when compared to that of fungus. A very good antioxidant property was also observed for these bio-capped AgNPs.     

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.     

Nucleation of Tiny Silver Nanoparticles by Using a Tetrafacial Organic Molecular Barrel: Potential Use in Visible-Light-Triggered Photocatalysis

Coordination-driven self-assembly of discrete molecular architectures of diverse shapes and sizes has been well studied in the last three decades. Use of dynamic imine bonds for designing analogous metal-free architectures has become a growing challenge recently. This article reports an organic molecular barrel ( OB4^R ) as a potential template for nucleation and stabilization of very tiny (<1.5 nm) Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). Imine bond condensation of a rigid tetra-aldehyde with a flexible diamine followed by imine-bond reduction yielded the discrete tetragonal organic barrel ( OB4^R ). The presence of a molecular pocket ornamented with eight diamine moieties gives the potential for encapsulation of silver(I). The organic barrel was finally used as a molecular vessel for the controlled nucleation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with fine size tuning through binding of Ag^I ions in the confined space of the barrel followed by reduction. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the Ag⁰@OB4^R composite revealed that the mean particle size is 1.44±0.16 nm. The composite material has approximately 52 wt % silver loading. The barrel-supported ultrafine AgNPs [ Ag⁰@OB4^R ] are found to be an efficient photocatalyst for facile Ullmann-type aryl-amination coupling of haloarenes at ambient temperature without using any additives. The catalyst was stable for several cycles of reuse without any agglomeration. The new composite Ag⁰@OB4^R represents the first example of discrete organic barrel-supported AgNPs employed as a photocatalyst in Ullmann-type coupling reactions at room temperature.     

Novel silver‐loaded semi‐interpenetrating polymer network gel films with antibacterial activity

Novel semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) based on segmented polyurethane‐urea and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid‐co‐butylmethacrylate) (poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA‐BMA)) were synthesized for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the SIPN system that could be useful for wound dressing applications. The obtained SIPN films, after neutralization, showed high swelling in aqueous environments and good mechanical properties in both dry and hydrated states. Analysis of the dried SIPN films by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic viscoelastic measurements revealed the presence of crosslinked copolymers as well as homopolymers in the SIPN system. The neutralized swollen SIPN film coordinated with the silver ions (Ag⁺) that were incorporated into it. AgNPs were subsequently formed by the reduction of Ag⁺. The formation of AgNPs was characterized by UV‐visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Bactericidal activity tests revealed a distinct zone of microbial inhibition within and around the silver‐doped SIPN films. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4950–4962, 2009     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Acacia farnesiana (Sweet Acacia) Seed Extract Under Microwave Irradiation and Their Biological Assessment

In the present study, Acacia farnesiana (Sweet acacia) seed extract is used to reduce Ag⁺ → Ag⁰ under microwave irradiation. The formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is monitored by recording the UV–Vis absorption spectra for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at ~450 nm. The absorbance of SPR increases linearly with increasing temperature of the reaction mixture. Rapid reduction of silver ions occurred to form AgNPs, 80–90 % yield in about 150 s. A marginal decrease in pH and increase in solution potential (E) of the reaction mixture during the formation of AgNPs are in agreement with the proposed mechanism. XRD pattern of the AgNPs agree with the fcc structure of Ag metal, and the calculated crystallite size is ~17 nm. FT-IR and solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra indicate the functional groups of flavonones and terpenoids (biomolecules from plant extract) which are adsorbed on AgNPs, thereby the present method led to in situ biofunctionalization/bio-capping of AgNPs. TG analysis shows the thermal decomposition of these plant residues present on AgNPs at about 250 °C. The spherical shape of the particles with a diameter (?) in the range of ~15–20 nm is evident from FE-SEM image. Elemental analysis by EDX analysis confirms the presence of Ag as the only major element. The in vitro antibacterial screening of AgNPs shows that these bio-capped AgNPs have higher inhibitory action for E. coli and S. aureus followed by B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa. In addition, AgNPs show very good antioxidant property.     

Structural and optical characteristics of silver/poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) nanosystems synthesized by γ-irradiation

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in situ by γ-irradiation using poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a capping agent. The concentration, molecular weight and the structure (crosslinked and interpenetrated network) of PVP were varied, in order to determine the influence of the capping agent in the radiolytic synthesis of the Ag/PVP nanosystems. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that AgNPs obtained from the solutions containing higher PVP concentration and higher molecular weight were spherical in shape, with narrow size distribution and a diameter of～6 nm, while slightly larger rod-shaped silver agglomerates, with bimodal nanoparticle size distribution and diameters of ～10 nm and ～20 nm were obtained from the solutions containing lower PVP concentration and lower molecular weight. Strong plasmon coupling and extending of plasmon resonance was observed by UV–vis spectroscopy, as a result of formation of nanorod-like agglomerates. Crosslinked and interpenetrated network did not affect the structure of synthesized AgNPs. Ag/PVP nanocomposite, in the form of thin film, was obtained by solvent evaporation from Ag/PVP colloid solution with 10 wt% of PVP, and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The interactions in Ag/PVP nanocomposite are shown to be the result of the coordination bonding between AgNPs and nitrogen from pyrrolidone ring of PVP. The optical properties of investigated Ag/PVP nanosystems, as measured by the values of optical band gap, E_g, are mainly the consequence of the interparticle distance as a result of the concentration and the structure of surrounding PVP macromolecules.