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Synthesis of sericin coated silver nanoparticles (Ag-Ser) by modified Tollens’ method and evaluation of colloidal stability

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Abstract

In this study, sericin extracted from Bombyx mori silk cocoons was integrated into the well-known Tollens’ method for synthesizing Ag-NPs. Sericin successfully acted as a stabilizer while silver amine complex [Ag(NH3)2]+ was reduced by maltose. As a result, silver nanoparticles with high stability are formed. Possible functional groups related to the stabilization of NPs were investigated by Fourier-transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Ag-Ser NPs were characterized using particle size measurements based on dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). According to the characterization investigations, Ag-Ser NPs have characteristic (111) face-centered cubic (FFC) plane and were spherical in shape with a narrow size distribution of 20.23 ± 6.25 nm. Overall, the sericin-modified Tollens’ method for synthesizing Ag-NPs offers a simple and non-toxic production method to form nanoparticles. Colloidal stability of nanoparticles displays an essential role since their enhanced nano-properties can be diminished by an increase in size due to aggregation and agglomeration. Therefore, the effect of pH and electrolyte concentration on particle stability was investigated through the surface charge of Ag-Ser NPs using a Zeta-potential analyzer and change in absorption spectra by UV–Vis Spectroscopy. Results obtained from this study propose a potential synthesis route for Ag NP synthesis and may extend the applicability of silver nanoparticles in biotechnological researches as aseptic and therapeutic usages.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, M.S., upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

Ag-Ser NPs:

Sericin stabilized silver nanoparticles

FT-IR spectroscopy:

Fourier-transforms infrared spectroscopy

DLS:

Dynamic light scattering

TEM:

Transmission electron microscope

HRTEM:

High-resolution transmission electron microscope image

SAED:

Selected area (electron) diffraction

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Banu Taktak Karaca and Biruni University for valuable contributions including Bradford assay, Zeta-potential measurements. Additionally, our sincere gratitude to NANOSILVER Kimya Sanayii Ticaret A.Ş. (Chemical Commerce & Industry Co.) for financial support, Dr. Yonca Alkan Göksü for FT-IR measurements and Selçuk University (ILTEK) for TEM images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34467, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mert Saraçoğlu, Sıddıka Mertdinç & Servet Timur

  2. Nanosilver Co. Teknopark İstanbul, 34906, Pendik, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mert Saraçoğlu

  3. Department of Medical and Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Merve B. Bacınoğlu

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  1. Mert Saraçoğlu
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Contributions

MS conceptualized the research, conducted the all the experiments, analyzed the experiment data regarding to characterization of nanoparticles and drafted the manuscript. BB helped both the experiments and preparing the manuscript. SM measured particle size of the samples. ST supervised and provided the necessary materials for nanoparticle synthesis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mert Saraçoğlu.

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Saraçoğlu, M., Bacınoğlu, M.B., Mertdinç, S. et al. Synthesis of sericin coated silver nanoparticles (Ag-Ser) by modified Tollens’ method and evaluation of colloidal stability. Appl. Phys. A 128, 424 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-022-05568-z

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