Green Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles using Euphorbia serpens Kunth Aqueous Extract, Their Characterization, and Investigation of Its In Vitro Antioxidative, Antimicrobial, Insecticidal, and Cytotoxic Activities

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via green synthesis approach using Euporbia serpens Kunth aqueous extract. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and Furrier Transformer Infra-Red spectroscopy to justify the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs from its precursors. AgNPs characteristic absorption peak was observed at 420 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. The SEM and TEM analysis demonstrated the spherical shape of the synthesized nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging from 30 nm to 80 nm. FTIR transmission bands at 2920 cm-1, 1639 cm-1, 1410 cm-1, 3290 cm-1, and 1085 cm-1 were attributed to C-H, C=O, C-C, N-H, and C-N functional groups, respectively. XRD peaks could be attributed to (111), (200), (220), and (311) crystalline plane of the faced-centered cube (FCC) crystalline structure of the metallic silver nanoparticles. The AgNPs showed good antibacterial activity against all the tested bacteria at each concentration. The particles were found to be more active against Escherichia coli (E. coli) with 20 ± 06 mm and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) with 18 ± 0.5 mm zone of inhibition in reference to standard antibiotic amoxicillin with 23 ± 0.3 mm and 20 ± 0.4 mm zone of inhibition, respectively. Moderate antifungal activities were observed against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Alternaria alternata (A. alternata) with zone of inhibitions 16.5 mm and 15 mm, respectively, compared to the standard with 23 mm of inhibition. Insignificant antifungal inhibition of 7.5 mm was observed against Fusarium gramium (F. gramium). All the tested concentrations of AgNPs showed comparable % RSA with the standard reference ascorbic acid in the range sixty percent to seventy five percent. The percent motility at 3 hours postincubation showed quick response and most Tetramorium caespitum were found deceased or paralyzed. Similarly, the percent mortality showed a linear response at concentration and time. It was observed that 1 μg/mL to 2 μg/mL concentration of AgNPs displayed a significant cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina with LD50 of 5.37 and 5.82, respectively.

Protective role of foliar application of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles against wheat stripe rust disease caused by Puccinia striiformis

Green-synthesized nanoparticles have a tremendous antimicrobial potential to be used as an alternative to hazardous fungicides. In this study, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was performed by using Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized AgNPs were subjected to different characterization techniques. UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the surface plasmon resonance band in the range of 400–450 nm, and zeta analysis revealed that the synthesized AgNPs ranged 4–30 nm in size. Scanning electron microscopy depicted tiny fused rectangular segments and the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs was confirmed using X-ray diffraction. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) detector confirmed the presence of metallic silver ions. Fourier-transform infrared analysis revealed the presence of phenols as main reducing agents in the plant extract. Foliar application of different concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm) of AgNPs was applied on wheat plants inoculated with Puccinia striiformis to assess the disease incidence against stripe rust disease. AgNPs at a conc. of 75 ppm were found to be more effective against wheat stripe rust disease. Furthermore, the application of AgNPs enhanced morpho-physiological attributes and reduced nonenzymatic compounds and antioxidant enzymes in wheat. The present study highlights the potential role of the green-synthesized AgNPs as a biological control of yellow rust disease.

Morphology, phase and chemical composition of the nanostructures formed in the systems containing lanthanum, cerium, and silver

X-ray phase and thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersion spectroscopy were used to study the products of phase formation during the precipitation of lanthanum and cerium salts in the presence of silver nitrate and recipients of precipitators, nucleating agents and hydrolysis regulators. Thermogravimetric analysis shows the completion of the La(OH)3 lattice dehydroxylation process at a temperature of ~ 300 °С and probable destruction of sulfates at a temperature of ~ 340 °С. The phase interaction of lanthanum oxide(III) with silver ends at T ~ 400 °C. The DTG curve shows a two-stage weight loss, which characterizes the destruction of lanthanum and silver hydroxides (250 °C) and the removal of sulfates (~ 340 °C), respectively. According to the TG, the total weight loss is 21.6 %. For the cerium-containing system the only endothermic effect of dehydroxylation of cerium hydroxide at T = 250 °C with its conversion into cerium dioxide is observed. The destruction of nitrates (anionic component of solutions) takes place at the temperature of 400 °C. Weight loss takes place at T = 150 °C and is 53.9 %. Thus, on the basis of TG-DTA data, it can be assumed that the formation of composites particles based on lanthanum and cerium oxides, modified with silver, ends at the temperature of 400 °C. The X-ray diffraction data shows that at the initial stage the system undergoes the formation of cerium and lanthanum hydroxides, and during lyophilization of the precipitate (T = 160 °C) the crystal lattice of hydroxides partial dehydroxylation takes place with the formation of trigonal oxides La2O3 and Ce2O3. It has been found that the presence of silver cations in the solution can affect the phase composition of lyophilized structures and the formation of the CeO2 phase. It is shown that the hydroxylamine chloride injection into the system can initiate the silver restoration on the lanthanum oxide surface and also partially restore it to the LaO phase. Temperature treatment of the samples (T = 400 °С) promotes homogenization of the precipitate composition: formation of 30 nm cerium dioxide particles with silver clusters evenly distributed on its surface, and hexagonal lanthanum oxide plates with individual silver particles as the second phase. In three-component systems, two modifications of lanthanum oxides (trigonal and cubic), cerium dioxide and metallic silver are formed. It is found that the chemical composition of the precipitates contains the main elements – La, Ce, O, Ag and impurity – S or Cl, as the anionic component of the initial solutions, N and K in the composition of the initial suspension. It is shown that the morphology of the samples is represented by hexagonal structures of lanthanum hydroxide and oxide, spherical and pseudocubic particles of cerium dioxide and lanthanum oxide, spherical clusters of silver.

DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL PARAMETERS FOR SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES STABILIZED WITH POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL

В рамках данной работы представлены результаты исследования влияния концентраций стабилизатора и прекурсора на процесс синтеза наночастиц серебра. В качестве прекурсора использован нитрат серебра, а в качестве стабилизатора -полиэтиленгликоль с молекулярной массой от 200 до 600 Да. Синтез осуществляли методом химического восстановления в водной среде. Полученные образцы исследовали фотонно-корреляционной спектроскопией и спектрофотометрией. Установлено наличие характеристической полосы поглощения на 400 нм в спектрах поглощения всех образцов наноразмерного серебра, стабилизированного полиэтиленгликолем, что обусловлено возникновением поверхностного плазмонного резонанса у металлических наночастиц серебра. Также установлено, что при наибольшей и наименьшей концентрации стабилизатора, равных, соответственно, 0. 005 и 0,1 мас. %, в реакционной системе наблюдается формирование крупных частиц серебра со средним гидродинамическим радиусом от 132 до 1900 нм. В результате определены оптимальные параметры синтеза агрегативно устойчивых наночастиц серебра: концентрация нитрата серебра С (AgNO) = 0,05 M и концентрация полиэтиленгликоля, равная 0,01 - 0,05 %. Проведено компьютерное квантовохимическое моделирование. Установлено, что энергетически выгодным является взаимодействие атома серебра с концевой гидроксогруппой в молекуле полиэтиленгликоля в элементарном акте взаимодействия при стабилизации наночастиц серебра данным полимером. Данный тип взаимодействия характеризуется абсолютной химической жесткостью, равной ƞ = 0,146 эВ, и внутренней энергией E = -2048,34 ккал / моль. Within the framework of this work, the results are presented of a study of the effect of the concentrations of the stabilizer and precursor on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Silver nitrate was used as a precursor, and polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight from 200 to 600 Da was used as a stabilizer. The synthesis was carried out by the method of chemical reduction in an aqueous medium. The obtained samples were investigated by photon correlation spectroscopy and spectrophotometry. The presence of a characteristic absorption band at 400 nm in the absorption spectra of all samples of nanosized silver stabilized with polyethylene glycol was established, which is due to the appearance of surface plasmon resonance in metallic silver nanoparticles. It was also found that at the highest and lowest concentration of the stabilizer, equal, respectively, 0,005 and 0,1 mass. %, the formation of large silver particles with an average hydrodynamic radius from 132 to 1900 nm is observed in the reaction system. As a result, the optimal parameters for the synthesis of aggregatively stable silver nanoparticles were determined: the concentration of silver nitrate C(AgNO) = 0,05 M and the concentration of polyethylene glycol equal to 0,01 - 0,05 %. Computer quantum-chemical modeling is carried out. It is found that the interaction of the silver atom with the terminal hydroxogroup in the polyethylene glycol molecule in the elementary act of interaction during the stabilization of silver nanoparticles by this polymer is energetically advantageous. This type of interaction is characterized by an absolute chemical hardness equal to ƞ = 0,146, and an internal energy of E = -2048,34 kcal / mol.

STUDY OF THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF TIN DIOXIDE LAYERS MODIFIED BY SILVER NANOPARTICLES

Слои диоксида олова синтезированы гидротермальным методом из водного раствора SnF. Наночастицы серебра осаждены на поверхность полученных слоев методом фотовосстановления. Проведено исследование морфологии поверхности образцов методом атомно-силовой микроскопии. Размер наночастиц серебра зависит от концентрации раствора AgNO, используемого для проведения реакции фотовосстановления. При синтезе из раствора с концентрацией 0,02 М размер полученных наночастиц составляет варьируется от 10 до 100 нм, при увеличении концентрации раствора в два раза размер наночастиц составляет порядка 100 нм. С помощью рентгеновской фотоэлектронной спектроскопии изучен состав поверхности слоев до и после осаждения наночастиц серебра. При выбранных условиях синтеза формируется слой диоксида олова без посторонних включений, и происходит осаждение металлического серебра. Химический сдвиг пиков олова и кислорода после осаждения наночастиц серебра свидетельствует об обмене электронами между оловом и серебром. Полученные слои представляют интерес для применения в области полупроводниковых адсорбционных газовых сенсоров. Tin dioxide layers were synthesized by hydrothermal method from an aqueous solution of SnF. Silver nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of the obtained layers by the photoreduction method. The surface morphology of the samples was studied by atomic force microscopy. The size of the silver nanoparticles depends on the concentration of the AgNO solution used for the photoreduction reaction. When synthesized from 0,02 M solution with a concentration of, the size of the nanoparticles varies from 10 to 100 nm, when the concentration of the solution is doubled, the size of the nanoparticles is about 100 nm. The surface composition of the layers before and after the deposition of silver nanoparticles was studied using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was shown that a layer of the tin dioxide is formed without external inclusions, and metallic silver is deposited. The chemical shift of the peaks of tin and oxygen after the deposition of silver nanoparticles indicates the exchange of electrons between tin and silver. The synthesized layers are of interest for application in the field of semiconductor adsorption gas sensors.

Preparation and Characterization of Silver-Iron Bimetallic Nanoparticles on Activated Carbon Using Plasma in Liquid Process

The mono and bi-metallic nanoparticles have conspicuous properties and are widely used in the environment, energy, and medical fields. In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles composed of silver and iron were precipitated on the surface of activated carbon in a single process using plasma in liquid process (PLP). Silver-iron ions and various radicals were actively generated in the aqueous reactant solution by the PLP. Although metals were precipitated on AC depending on the number of precursors added to the aqueous reactant solution, the standard reduction potential of silver ions was higher than that of iron ions, so silver precipitated on AC. The silver precipitate on AC was a mixture of metallic silver and silver oxide, and iron was present as Fe3O4. Spherical nanoparticles, 100–120 nm in size, were observed on the surface of the Ag-Fe/AC composite. The composition of the bimetallic nanoparticles could be controlled by considering the ionization tendency and standard reduction potential of metal ions and controlling the concentration of the precursors. The PLP presented in this study can be applied to the preparing method of bimetallic nanoparticle/carbon materials and can be expected to be used in the prepare of energy and environmental materials such as MFC and absorption materials for removing pollutants.

Solar Energy as Renewable Energy for the Degradation of Pollutants using High Active Ag@TiO2/α-Fe2O3 Ternary Nanocomposite Photocatalyst

In this work, ternary Ag@TiO2/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite were synthesized via solvothermal chemical reduction method using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and reducing agent. The chemical procedure involves the use of only metals precursors without the need to use any other surfactants or capping agents. Physicochemical properties of the designed photocatalyst are found by means of various modern techniques. XRD data confirmed the high crystallinity of the obtained ternary nanocomposite. On the other hand, using TEM and HRTEM instruments, the shape and morphology of the Ag@TiO2/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite were found to be spherical with an average particle size of 150 nm. The UV-Vis measurement shows that Ag@TiO2/α-Fe2O3 as photocatalyst exhibited good photo response in the visible region. The effect of preparation method and the performance of the designed photocatalyst were evaluated by photodegradation measurements of MB under visible light irradiation. We observed that the combination of metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and hematite iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) with titanium dioxide (TiO2) enhance the photocatalytic activity of the ternary Ag@TiO2/α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst compared to bare TiO2 suggesting its potential for many purification applications.

Antennapedia regulates metallic silver wing scale development and cell shape in Bicyclus anynana butterflies

Butterfly wing scale cells can develop very intricate cuticular nanostructures that interact with light to produce structural colors such as silver, but the genetic basis of such nanostructures is mostly unexplored. Here, we address the genetic basis of metallic silver scale development by leveraging existing crispants in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana, where knockouts of five genes – apterous A, Ultrabithorax, doublesex, Antennapedia and optix – either led to ectopic gains or losses of silver scales. Most wildtype silver scales had low amounts of pigmentation and exhibited a common ultrastructural modification for metallic broadband reflectance, i.e., an undulatory air layer enclosed by an upper and lower lamina. Crispant brown scales differed from wildtype silver scales via the loss of the continuous upper lamina, increased lower lamina thickness, and increased pigmentation. The reverse was seen when brown scales became silver. On the forewings, we identified Antennapedia as a high-level selector gene, acting through doublesex to induce silver scale development in males and having a novel, post-embryonic role in the determination of ridge and crossrib orientation and overall scale cell shape in both sexes. We propose that apterous A and Ultrabithorax repress Antennapedia on the dorsal forewings and ventral hindwings, respectively, thereby repressing silver scale development, whereas apterous A activates the same GRN on the dorsal hindwings, promoting silver scales.