Simultaneous green synthesis and in-situ impregnation of silver nanoparticles into organic nanofibers by Lythrum salicaria extract: Morphological, thermal, antimicrobial and release properties.

This research has revealed the promising, green and one-pot approach for fabrication of antimicrobial nanohybrids based on organic nanofibers including cellulose (CNF), chitosan (CHNF), and lignocellulose (LCNF) nanofibers impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Lythrum salicaria extract was used as a reducing agent as well as a capping agent. Formation of the spherical AgNPs ranging between 45 and 65 nm was proved by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Biomaterials supported AgNPs were characterized and compared for their morphological, thermal, release, and antimicrobial properties. The considerable influence of the phenolic compounds of L.salicaria extract on the synthesis and uniform distribution of AgNPs on nanofibers was confirmed by field emission electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and ICP-OES analysis of nanohybrids, reflected a high loading capacity for LCNF and also CHNF in contrast to CNF. The release of AgNPs from LCNF substrate was lower than other nanofibers but the order of antimicrobial activity of nanohybrids against E.coli and S.aureus was as this: CHNF ˃ LCNF ˃ CNF. Generally, this research suggested that the efficiency of CHNF and LCNF as immobilizing support of AgNPs is higher than CNF and L.salicaria extract was proposed as a high potential reducing and capping agent.