Abstract
Composites of Silver nanoparticles/chitosan were obtained in aqueous solution, in-one step and eco-friendly synthesis, under ambiental conditions, using gamma irradiation. The radiochemical synthesis enabled obtaining of controlled size, monodisperse and high stability Silver nanoparticles. The obtained composites presented UV-Vis surface plasmon resonance comprised between 406-414 nm, depending on composition of the reactant system, spherical shape and narrow particle size distributions, with mean dimensions between 3-55 nm, and good antibacterial properties proven against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The influence of the Silver ions/chitosan ratio and of the pH of the initial solution on the final Ag Np properties is also discussed.
Keywords: Chitosan; Silver nanoparticles; antimicrobial composites; gamma irradiation