Microwave-enhanced silver nanoparticle synthesis using chitosan biopolymer: optimization of the process conditions and evaluation of their characteristics

Abstract A facile and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by aqueous chitosan solution and microwave irradiation is proposed as a cost effective and environmentally benevolent alternative to chemical and physical methods. With this aim, different amounts of chitosan solution (3–9 ml) with several concentration (4–6% w/v) and 3 ml of the silver salt solution (0.5% w/v) were mixed and microwave irradiated for 100 s. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of the amount and concentration of chitosan solution on the particle size and concentration of the synthesized AgNPs. The optimum AgNPs synthesis process was obtained using 9 ml of 0.4% (w/v) chitosan solution. The spherical and more stable AgNPs synthesized at optimum conditions had particle size, concentration, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential values of 37 nm, 69 ppm, 0.557 and +50 mV, respectively. The synthesized AgNPs indicated strong antifungal activity toward Aspergillus flavus and high antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli).