Abstract
This article describes the size-controlled one-pot facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their antibacterial response against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. AgNPs coated with and without trisodium citrate (TSC) were synthesized using silver nitrate aqueous precursor and hydrazine as a reducing agent. The appearance of yellowish color with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with maximum absorbance (λmax) at 416 nm from the ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectrum of the product indicated primarily the formation of the desired product. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the crystallinity of those products. Field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images indicated only spherical AgNPs formation. The existence of a functional group of chemically bonded surface capping agents is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and the themogravimetric analysis (TGA) weight loss assessment proved the attachment of good amount of capping agents. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopic analysis of products revealed the existence of high percentage (96.36%) of silver. Exposing the synthesized AgNPs to Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli bacteria, the zone inhibition was found to be 8 mm and 6 mm at a concentration of 50 mgL− 1, respectively. These results imply that TSC capped AgNPs can be considered as effective human pathogens for S. aureus and E. coli which is very inspiring.