https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/s10053-026-01137-8
Research - Plasmas
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles by atmospheric pressure microplasma: influence of reaction time on structural, optical, and antimicrobial properties
1
Department of Physics, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
2
SECIHTI-InnovaBienestar de México, 25290, Saltillo, Coahuila, México
3
Department of Physics, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
4
Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), 25290, Saltillo, Coahuila, México
5
Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial y Mecánica, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, 72810, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, México
6
School of Physics, and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, 100124, Beijing, China
7
Department of Zoology, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
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Received:
18
October
2025
Accepted:
20
February
2026
Published online:
26
March
2026
Abstract
Silver nanomaterials are of significant interest due to their unique characteristics, including high reactivity, a high specific surface area, and small size, which make them important in various industrial applications, such as medicine, food, consumer products, and healthcare. In this study, silver nanoparticles are synthesized using atmospheric pressure microplasma, an eco-friendly technique, with silver nitrate (AgNO3) as the precursor and fructose as a natural stabilizing agent. The influence of reaction time (25, 35, and 45 min) on the structural characteristics of nanoparticles, functional properties, and their antibacterial and antifungal activities is investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the synthesis of pure face-centered cubic (FCC) silver phases, with no secondary phases present. The peaks become broader with increasing reaction time, whereas the crystalline size decreases. Due to quantum confinement effects, UV–visible spectroscopy shows clear surface plasmon resonance peaks and an increase in the energy band gap from 3.20 to 3.47 eV with increasing reaction time. Scanning electron microscopy, combined with particle size distribution analysis, reveals that longer treatment times consistently yielded smaller particles, with sizes of 31.12 nm, 25.98 nm, and 22.24 nm, respectively. The presence of functional groups and Ag–O bonding, which support particle stability, is verified by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Significant inhibition zones (up to 30 mm) are observed in antibacterial and antifungal assays, and the higher surface reactivity of smaller nanoparticles is associated with enhanced bioactivity. This study demonstrates that adjusting the reaction time allows for control over the crystallite characteristics and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, SIF and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
