Synthesis and antibacterial properties of water-dispersible silver nanoparticles stabilized by metal-carbon σ-bonds

► A new water-soluble stabilizer for metal nanoparticles (NPs), 4-diazoniumcarboxylbenzene tetrafluoroborate, was synthesized. ► A stable aqueous dispersion of Ag NPs was successfully produced by a simultaneous aqueous reduction of this diazonium salt and silver nitrate by NaBH4. ► Characterization of the obtained Ag NPs by UV-Vis spectra, TEM images, XRD patterns, and XPS spectra revealed that they were stabilized by Ag-C σ-bonds. ► These NPs showed excellent antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus.