Effect of different energy levels of X-rays on tyrosine-capped silver nanoparticles synthesis: A non-thermal approach

Abstract

The present study illustrates X-rays as an eco-friendly and non-thermal energy source for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs were synthesized using high energy (HE) with 3990 J (350 kV, 11.4 mA), medium energy (ME) having 2880 J (200 kV, 14.40 mA), and low energy (LE) with 1710 J (57 kV, 30 mA) levels of X-ray and irradiated at a dose of 10 kGy as reducing and tyrosine as a capping agent. UV–visible spectra of AgNPs exhibited the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 405 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of AgNPs revealed a 5–15 nm particle size. The Zeta potential (ZP) of LE-AgNPs displayed excellent stability (−60 mV), followed by the HE-AgNPs (−58 mV) and ME-AgNPs (-42 mV). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) revealed that all AgNPs showed potent antibacterial activity against Salmonella Typhimurium than Staphylococcus aureus. The present study exhibited that HE, ME, and LE-X-ray differently impacted the stability and antibacterial potency of synthesized AgNPs.