Synthesis of biologically active silver nanoparticles using N-containing compounds: the dual role of semicarbazones

Abstract

In the current work, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles is carried out using semicarbazones, and the potential of such N-containing compounds as useful reagents in nanotechnology is presented. The nanochemistry of semicarbazones has been explored in the present work to establish a simple and convenient protocol for the use of semicarbazones in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles for the first time. It is believed that the chosen semicarbazones played a dual role i.e. as reducing agents as well as capping agents. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were investigated by UV/visible and FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TGA, and TEM. The UV/vis spectra revealed surface plasmon resonance (SPR), a characteristic phenomenon in silver nanoparticles, between 400–450 nm. XRD measurements confirmed face-centered cubic (FCC) silver with particle diameters in the range of 20–30 nm. The TEM analysis showed a particle size of <10 nm. The antimicrobial activity of the semicarbazone-synthesized silver nanoparticles was examined by the well diffusion method against the fungus Aspergillus niger, Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, and Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. It was found that all the samples showed enhanced antimicrobial properties in comparison to their parent semicarbazones.