Concentration dependent SERS profile of p-tolyl 2-acetamido-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propanoate (AFP) in silver colloidal nanohydrosols: Experimental and DFT investigations

Abstract

Based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technique, the adsorption properties of p-tolyl 2-acetamido-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propanoate (AFP) on silver surface were examined. The title compound, AFP showed balanced inhibition of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase along with mild cytotoxicity of HepG2 cells according to the previous study. After adsorption on silver surface, the structural properties of AFP exhibit a small modification, indicating an interaction between the AFP and Ag6 cluster. Experimental research on AFP and SERS spectra at various concentrations was conducted. Raman frequencies for AFP and AFP adsorbed on silver were computed. FMOs for AFP and AFP adsorbed on the silver surface were conducted. After AFP was adsorbed on the silver, the energy gap was dramatically lowered. The greater bioactivity of AFP is caused by the lowering energy gap, which denotes the electron delocalization. According to SERS spectrum analysis, AFP was adsorbed on silver with a tilted orientation. As a result, the current study has been used as a model system to comprehend how silver nanoprticles (NP) interact with AFP. Silver nanoparticles are successfully used for the treatment of different diseases alone or in association with other active components and the incorporation of AFP with silver nanocolloids will act as a nanodrug delivery system.