Acrylic polymer influence on the structure and morphology of AgNPs obtained by chemical method for antimicrobial applications

In this article, we present the synthesis of small silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with an average size of 1–20(50) nm. Three formulations of AgNPs-based materials have been obtained and characterized by varying the weight ratio of the silver nitrate/acrylic polymer. AgNPs were prepared by simple chemical reduction method. The reduction of AgNO₃ was done by sodium borohydride in the presence of acrylic polymer, which acts also as a capping agent of AgNPs, avoiding the use of additional protective agents. The elemental analysis of AgNPs was quantified by X-ray fluorescence. The morphology and size of AgNPs were characterized by SEM and TEM–HRTEM, while the colloidal stability of AgNPs was demonstrated by zeta potential measurements. The influence of acrylic polymer on the stability of AgNPs, the particle sizes, and their antimicrobial efficacy was investigated. The results confirm that the introduction of acrylic polymer during the synthesis, acting as a stabilizing agent, increases the colloidal stability and antimicrobial performances of these formulations.