What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to evaluate the antibacterial and photocatalytic properties of silver-based nanoparticles and their composites.

April 4, 2026Open Access

Green synthesis of silver-based NPs/NCs and their antimicrobial and photocatalytic activity

Key Points

The research aims to evaluate the antibacterial and photocatalytic properties of silver-based nanoparticles and their composites.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), silver-chitosan (Ag@CS), and silver-graphitic carbon nitride (Ag@gC3N4) composites.
Assessment of antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae.
Evaluation of photocatalytic degradation of 4-NP under UV-Visible light using synthesized nanoparticles.
Characterization of nanoparticles through UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy.
Ag-NPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity with a maximum inhibition zone at 2.5%, comparable to standard drugs.
Ag-CS and Ag-gC3N4 composites showed enhanced antibacterial efficacy at lower concentrations compared to Ag-NPs.
Photocatalytic degradation rate reached 51% for Ag-gC3N4 at 6%, indicating effective photocatalytic potential.

Abstract

Antibacterial infections/ wastewater and their propagation pose significant risks to human health and well-being. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and Chitosan (CS) based composites, a promising antibacterial, Cytotoxic/photocatalysis study, has garnered significant interest for its ability to mitigate bacterial transmission/low toxic/wastewater treatment, owing to its exceptional stability, high efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The antibacterial, Cytotoxic/photocatalysis efficacy of g-C3N4 and CS is influenced by various parameters, such as its specific surface area, fast electron-hole recombination, and optical absorption characteristics. To enhance the efficacy of the antibacterial, Cytotoxic/photocatalysis activities of g-C3N4 and CS and broaden its applicability, several nanocomposites and nanoparticles have been synthesized and assessed. In this study Ag-NPs, Ag@CS, and Ag@gC3N4 nanoparticles and nanocomposites shown remarkable results. The antibacterial behavior of the Ag-NPs (K4) at different concentration zone of inhibition is measured and remarkable activity is observed at 2.5% having (B. subtilis, E. coli and K. pneumoniae and standard drug, 10.16 ± 0.02, 10.85 ± 0.02, 11.16 ± 0.02 and 14 ± 0.06) while in case of composites higher activity found at 2.0% of Ag-CS (K5) (B. subtilis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae standard drug gentamycin, 10.40 ± 0.10, 12.05 ± 0.10, 11.70 ± 0.10 and 11 ± 0.06) & Ag-gC3N4 (K6) NCs B. subtilis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and standard drug (9.40 ± 0.08, 15.05 ± 0.05, 7.70 ± 0.10 and 11 ± 0.06) in different ratios was performed against the standard drug gentamicin. While hence, it will be changing the higher death rate found at the higher concentration and the result is concluded Ag-NPs (K4), Ag-CS (K5) & Ag-gC3N4 (K6) NCs are found to be less toxic than others. The photocatalytic reaction for Ag-NPs (K4) at 2% 35 ± 1.20%, while Ag-CS (K5) at 6% 49 ± 1.10%, and Ag-gC3N4 (K6) at 6% 51 ± 1.10% against degradation of 4-NP. All the synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposites were characterized through various spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Visible, X-ray diffraction and Scanning electron microscopy. All the synthesized NPs and NCs are found to be effective for health and industrial sector for wastewater treatment.

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Cite This Study

Badshah et al. (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d0afde659487ece0fa5fe8 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-45547-5

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