Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using the UV-Irradiation Technique in an Antibacterial Application

Abstract

The article describes a new way to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on UV-irradiation energy. Our technique allows for producing high quality and clean nanoparticles. Moreover, our photolysis approach allows us to synthesis silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with very low cost and short time. The nanostructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron spectroscopy and UV-visible spectrometer. Most of the Ag NPs are shown to be a hexagonal shape and some of them are a spherical shape. The average size of nanoparticles was calculated to be around 20.23 nm. The morphology, size, and ion concentration of the synthesized Ag NPs determine their absorbance and transmittance at the UV region of spectrum. Silver's antimicrobial properties are well known and due to their antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles become more important. Therefore, our synthesized Ag NPs were used against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria). The results show that the nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml demonstrated a high activity of antimicrobials, resulting in a good inhibition for both grams positive and negative bacteria. However, the effect of Ag NPs on gram-positive bacteria is higher than gram-negative bacteria.