Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of colloidal silver nanoparticles stabilized by gemini anionic surfactants

Abstract

Here in, the new gemini anionic surfactants with different alkyl chain length were synthesized (C8A, C12A, C16A and C18A). The chemical structure of the synthesized surfactants was confirmed using infra-red spectroscopy (IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Silver nanoparticles colloidal solution of 20–25nm diameters was prepared using trisodium citrate as reducing agent. The nanostructure of the synthesized surfactant with silver nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 6.3 to 23.2nm was prepared and characterized using ultra violet spectrophotometer (UV), transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The results declare formation and stabilization of silver nanoparticle using synthesized anionic surfactants. Antimicrobial activity of the synthesized anionic surfactants and their nanostructure with silver nanoparticles were evaluated against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial activity showed the enhancement in the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized gemini anionic surfactants in the nanostructures form.