Generation of silver nanoparticles from thin films and their antibacterial properties

Abstract

Abstract Colloidal solutions of silver nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by ultrashort-pulse laser ablation of silver films of variable thickness in water at different fluences, pulse durations and laser exposures. Characterization of these particles was performed by scanning electron microscopy, optical transmission spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. A monotonic increase in the extinction coefficient and in the average diameter of the colloidal particles—from 20 to 180 nm—was observed as a function of laser fluence and exposure. Antibacterial properties of colloidal silver NPs were investigated by the microbiological ‘Live/Dead Biofilm Viability Kit’ method.