Surface enhanced Raman scattering, antibacterial and antifungal active triangular gold nanoparticles

Shape controlled syntheses of gold nanoparticles have attracted a great deal of attention as their optical, electronic, magnetic and biological properties are strongly dependent on the size and shape of the particles. Here is a report on the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum leaf broth reduced gold nanoparticles consisting of triangular and spherical like particles, using 2-aminothiophenol (2-ATP) and crystal violet (CV) as probe molecules. Nanoparticles prepared with a minimum leaf broth concentration, having a greater number of triangular like particles exhibit a SERS activity of the order of 107. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibit efficient antibacterial activity against the tested gram negative bacterium Escherichia coli and gram positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Investigations on the antifungal activity of the synthesized nanoparticles against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum positive is also discussed.

Graphical abstractTEM image, and SERS spectra of 2-ATP and CV molecules on Au nanotriangles exhibiting maximum enhancement.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles. ► SERS activity of these gold nanoparticles is reported. ► Large SERS enhancement from triangular shaped particles. ► These nanoparticles exhibit antibacterial activity.