Parameterization on Fructose-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis by Non-thermal Atmospheric Pressure Helium Plasma Jet

The fructose stabilized silver nanoparticles (FRU-AgNPs) synthesis is comparatively studied by defining the experimental parameters such as plasma jet device configuration, AgNO3 concentration, plasma treatment time and fructose stabilizer concentration. In this research, there are four types of plasma jet device configurations (C1–C4). The plasma treatment time is varied in a range of 10 to 30 minutes. Fructose concentration is varied to be 5, 10, 20 and 40 mM. The helium gas is used to generate non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma. The plasma jet device is operated by a sinusoidal power supply at a repetition frequency of approximately 1 MHz. The input electrical power for plasma generation is about 30 W. The formation and stability of AgNPs are characterized by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorbance peak from ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. The absorbance peaks of AgNPs are found in the range of 400 to 420 nm. According to the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, the hydrodynamic sizes of AgNPs are in the range of 15 to 40 nm. The AgNPs show anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli with an average inhibition zone of 8.87 ± 0.55 mm. Based on the highest yield of AgNPs, optimal parameters are found to be C3, plasma treatment time of 30 min, AgNO3 concentration of 1–2 mM and fructose concentration of 40 mM.