Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution by Laser Technique and Study of Their Hemocompatibility and Antibacterial Effects Against Dental Decay Bacteria

Abstract

In the current work, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were successfully synthesized via laser ablation while their hemocompatibility and antibacterial features were tested against dental decay bacteria. The silver bulk was immersed in cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) and focused by a pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm, 600 mJ at room temperature, a pulse duration of 10 ns, and a repetition rate of 5 Hz. The obtained Ag-NPs suspension was systematically and comprehensively characterized by harnessing UV–Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential (ZP), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results demonstrated that the absorption spectrum of Ag NPs colloidal solution was characterized by the peak observed at 425 nm. Meanwhile, The NPs XRD patterns revealed the presence of Ag phase planes (111), (200), and (220). All samples manifested aggregation-induced spherical nanostructures as disclosed by the FESEM images. Besides, the TEM images revealed nearly spherical NPs, with sizes ranging from 5–70 nm, for Ag NPs prepared with CTAB. The antibacterial activity against a clinical isolate of Streptococcus mutans was conducted at a wide spectrum Ag concentration range (0.0, 50, 75, 100, and 200) μg/mL. The in vitro hemocompatibility effects were obtained by measuring the hemolysis rate of red blood cells. Results reported that the antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans was size and concentration-dependent, and the hemolysis rate revealed low effects at low concentrations. Thus, Ag NPs could be a promising candidates to treat and prevent dental caries.