Environmental photochemistry in Solanum trilobatum mediated plasmonic nanoparticles as a probe for the detection of Cd2+ ions in water

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Solanum trilobatum L. Aqueous Extract and Their Antibacterial Activity

Solanum trilobatum L. (Solanaceae), commonly known as nightshade, has been traditionally used by various populations to treat a variety of ailments. Environment-friendly alternatives to chemical and physical procedures for the synthesis of nanomaterials have been proposed. In this research, the hot plate combustion method is used to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate and S. trilobatum leaf extract. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests, the cubic phase was face-centered, had good crystallinity, and had average crystallite sizes. According to morphological studies, the surface has a cylindrical and rod-like morphology, and average particle size estimates from UV-visible spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), concur well with XRD, and the bio-reduced silver nanoparticles were characterized. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the human pathogenic microorganisms were used to investigate the antibacterial efficacy (12.5, 25, 50 μg/mL) of these biologically created silver nanoparticles.

Bandgap and visible-light-induced photocatalytic performance and dye degradation of silver doped HAp/TiO2 nanocomposite by sol-gel method and its antimicrobial activity

Silver doped hydroxyapatite and titanium oxide nanocomposites have been obtained by sol-gel techniques with novel antimicrobial activities for biomedical applications. The synthesis of Ca_10-X Ag_X (PO₄)₆(OH)₂ along with titanium oxide nanoparticles with X_Ag = 0 (HAp/TiO₂), 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 (Ag:HAp/TiO₂-NCS) was performed. The developed crystalline phase was characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the morphological features were executed via scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). The HAp/TiO₂ and silver doped HAp/TiO₂ nanocomposites were spherical grains, with needle and flower-like structures. XRD examination revealed the crystalline phases of HAp/TiO₂ and Ag-doped HAp/TiO₂ nanocomposites. The crystallite size of HAp/TiO₂ and Ag-doped HAp/TiO₂ nanocomposites determined from the XRD pattern was ranged between 16 nm and 20 nm. The FTIR analysis confirms the presence of stretching and vibrational peaks for the presence of silver doped HAp/TiO₂. The EDAX analysis showed the existence of major elements of HAp/TiO₂ and Ag-HAp/TiO₂ nanostructured composites. HAp/TiO₂ and silver doped HAp/TiO₂ were active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as, E. coli (MTCC 443), S. typhi (MTCC 733), and S. aureus (MTCC 3160). The photocatalytic absorption spectrum implied an increased absorption rate of methylene blue by HAp/TiO₂ and silver doped HAp/TiO₂ nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity revealed that 50% Ag doped HAp/TiO₂ optimally improved photocatalytic activity.

Detection of heavy metals, SERS and antibacterial activity of polyvinylpyrolidone modified plasmonic nanoparticles

Selective and sensitive optical sensor based on surface plasmon resonance for detection of various heavy metals in water using polyvinylpyrolidone modified silver nanoparticles was explained in this present study. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-visible spectra show the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 409 nm corresponding to silver nanoparticles. Crystalline nature of the nanoparticles was evident from TEM images and XRD analysis. TEM images showed average size of 10 nm for prepared silver nanoparticles. FTIR analysis provides the presence of various functional groups responsible for the reduction and stability of the prepared silver nanoparticles. SERS gives the molecular orientation of the adsorbed pyridine molecules via its nitrogen lone pair of electrons on the surface of silver. Prepared polyvinylpyrolidone modified silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are demonstrated to detect the concentration of heavy metal contaminant Fe³⁺ ions in water based on linear change in surface plasmon resonance absorption strength. In addition, AgNPs showed promising activity towards E.coli. These observed optical properties suggest the possible utilization of prepared nanoparticles in the application of water purification.

Microwave assisted hydrothermally synthesized cobalt doped zinc ferrites nanoparticles for the degradation of organic dyes and antimicrobial applications

A novel photocatalyst based cobalt doped zinc ferrites nanoparticles (Co-ZnFe₂O₄ NPs) was prepared to actively concentrate degradation of organic dyes in water. The aim this study is to investigate the effect of substitution of Co²⁺ for Zn²⁺ in zinc ferrites nanoparticles and is characterized with UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, SEM, Photoluminescence and Vibrating sample magnetometer technique. When the calcinations temperature increases from 150 °C to 450 °C the amorphous ferrites begins to vanish and the characteristic reflections of cubic spinal Co-ZnFe₂O₄ phase are only observed at 450 °C. The band gap energy (E_g) of sample calcined at 250 °C is calculated at 5.2 eV and that of 450 °C is 4.5 eV. The observed value of band gap energy decreased with increasing calcinations temperature in the samples. The increase in PL peak intensity is due to collective emissions and light-scattering. The doping material, cobalt substitution at spinel zinc ferrites surface, and hence gradually decrease the amorphous effect, increase the saturation magnetization and decrease the coercivity while increasing the temperature. The compounds calcined at 250 °C and 450 °C were investigated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. A sample with 450 °C calcination temperature leads to higher efficiencies in the inhibition of growth of bacteria and degradation of organic dyes. Hence, this study provides a novel photocatalyst of Co-ZnFe₂O₄ NPs in the tile to degrade and analyze the environmentally ignored organic compounds.

A nanozyme-catalysis-based ratiometric electrochemical sensor for general detection of Cd2+

AuPt–rGO showed good peroxidase-like activity for the oxidation of OPD to DAP (a novel internal reference) and achieved sensitive and reliable detection of Cd2+ based on a ratiometric strategy.