Chitosan Salts as Stabilizing Agents for the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)

In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were obtained by a chemical reduction method using different chitosan salts as stabilizing agents, able to protect and prevent against the aggregation of the nanoparticles. Various chitosan salts with different organic acids, which included: acetic, succinic, formic, propionic, malic, glycolic and lactic acid were used to form the chitosan salts. The use of these organic acids represents a viable, sustainable, environmentally friendly and economical way to synthesized AgNPs. The AgNPs-chitosan salts samples were analyzed by UV-VIS, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, DLS, and TEM. Most of the organic acids led to nanoparticles with small dimensions (30-52 nm) and positive zeta-potential. However, those AgNPs-chitosan that were stabilized by the salts of alpha-hydroxyacids and diacids, like glycolate and succinate, led to larger particles. The stability study under different storage conditions and time showed that the silver nanoparticles are more stable when storage at cold temperatures.

Automated summary

In this research, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using various chitosan salts as stabilizing agents, which effectively prevented nanoparticle aggregation. Different chitosan salts were formed using organic acids such as acetic, succinic, formic, propionic, malic, glycolic, and lactic acid, providing a sustainable and economical method for AgNPs synthesis. Characterization techniques including UV-VIS, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, DLS, and TEM were used to analyze the AgNPs-chitosan salts samples. Most organic acids resulted in small-sized nanoparticles (30-52 nm) with positive zeta potential. However, the use of salts of alpha-hydroxyacids and diacids, such as glycolate and succinate, led to larger particles. Stability studies revealed that storage at cold temperatures enhanced the stability of the silver nanoparticles.