Facile Algae-Derived Route to Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Antibacterial, and Photocatalytic Properties

TLDR

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles is attractive because it yields clean, biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost‑effective materials, and microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are explored as production platforms for their resilience to extreme conditions. The study introduces Chlorella pyrenoidosa as an unexplored algal platform to produce silver nanoparticles with highly consistent morphology. Using Chlorella pyrenoidosa, the authors synthesized silver nanoparticles and employed a suite of characterization techniques to confirm their crystallinity and identify surface‑stabilizing functional groups. The algae‑derived silver nanoparticles exhibit strong antibacterial and photocatalytic activities, making them attractive, biocompatible, and eco‑friendly candidates for wastewater treatment.

Abstract

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles is of considerable interest, as it affords clean, biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost-effective fabrication. Driven by their ability to withstand variable extremes of environmental conditions, several microorganisms, notably bacteria and fungi, have been investigated in the never-ending search for optimal nanomaterial production platforms. Here, we present a hitherto unexplored algal platform featuring Chlorella pyrenoidosa, which offers a high degree of consistency in morphology of synthesized silver nanoparticles. Using a suite of characterization methods, we reveal the intrinsic crystallinity of the algae-derived nanoparticles and the functional moieties associated with its surface stabilization. Significantly, we demonstrate the antibacterial and photocatalytic properties of these silver nanoparticles and discuss the potential mechanisms that drive these critical processes. The blend of photocatalytic and antibacterial properties coupled with their intrinsic biocompatibility and eco-friendliness make these nanoparticles particularly attractive for wastewater treatment.