Nanoformulation of C-18 long fatty acid-capped silver nanoparticles with exploration of photocatalytic and antibacterial activities

Abstract

C-18 fatty acid-coated silver nanoparticles are synthesized using a facile and worthwhile chemical method. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics were broadly studied, endorsing the synthesis of the modified nanoparticles. Analyses were performed using routine characterization methods like FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, etc. The XRD patterns confirm the crystalline pattern, while TEM confirms the structure as fine spherical nanoparticles. The photocatalytic studies of the nanoparticles were performed using the degradation of eriochrome black T and methylene blue dyes. They revealed that the saturated form of the fatty acid-coated silver nanoparticles shows a higher degradation rate compared to the unsaturated derivative. Further, the rate constant for the brominated derivative of oleic acid-capped AgNPs, i.e. DOAN, of both the dyes is greater than that of SNP, while that of ONP is the least. The antibacterial assay of the above nanoparticles against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens has also been performed. DOAN proved to be a bit more effective compared to the other two. This successful study of photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of fatty acid-coated silver nanoparticles can be used for the reasonable treatment and commercial disposal of debris from wastewater.