Formation of silver nanoparticles on lignin and two of its precursors

Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (He I and He II), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy were employed to study the interaction of silver with lignin as well as with two of its natural precursors, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. For all three of them, no chemical interaction between the adsorbed silver and the organic substrate was found before contact with air. Nevertheless, silver nanoparticles were found in all three cases after contact with air. Thus, a process of silver nanoparticle formation during the decomposition of the organic molecules is suggested, similar to the previously found catalytic decomposition of cinnamyl alcohol by water in the presence of silver atoms.

Competing plasmonic and charge-transfer excitations in pyridine adsorbed silver and aluminum nanoparticles

Based on time dependent density functional theory calculations, we reveal radical modifications in the optical absorption spectra of pyridine molecules adsorbed on Ag and Al nanoparticles.

Modified Silica Nanofibers with Antibacterial Activity

This study is focused on development of functionalized inorganic-organic nanofibrous material with antibacterial activity for wound dressing applications. The nanofibers combining poly(vinyl alcohol) and silica were produced by electrospinning from the sol and thermally stabilized. The PVA/silica nanofibers surface was functionalized by silver and copper nanoparticles to ensure antibacterial activity. It was proven that quantity of adsorbed silver and copper nanoparticles depends on process time of adsorption. According to antibacterial tests results, this novel nanofibrous material shows a big potential for wound dressing applications due to its significant antibacterial efficiency.