Structure and Properties of Electrochemically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution by High Resolution Techniques

In this work high resolution techniques as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Zeta Potential measurements, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) have been employed to deeply investigate about silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) electrochemically synthesized and successfully applied in biological and chemical fields. Strong brightness, as well as the tendency to generate odd number nanoclusters, and the absence of free silver ion in solution have been observed. The chemical and physical properties of the AgNPs seem to be related to their peculiar oxidative state as suggested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD). Finally, cytotoxicity of the investigated AgNPs has been tested by MTT assay.