Preparation, characterization and biological activity of silver nanoparticles and silver(I) complex using the new compound 2,2′-(2-phenyl acetylazanediyl)diacetic acid

•The new organic compound 2,2′-(2-phenyl acetylazanediyl)diacetic acid was prepared and characterized.•A Ag(I) complex was prepared from this compound and characterized using different spectrophotometric tools.•The stability of the complex was studied using thermal analyses tools.•AgNPs were also prepared from the same compound and studied using FTIR, UV–Vis, SEM, TEM and EDX techniques.•Biological activity was evaluated for both.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by the reduction of AgNO3 using 2,2′-(2-phenyl acetylazanediyl)diacetic acid in dilute aqueous Na2CO3 solution. On the other hand, the Ag(I)-complex was prepared by reacting AgNO3 with the ligand in a 1:1 M ratio. The nanoparticles and complex formed were characterized using IR, UV–Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy, whereas thermal studies were performed for the Ag(I) complex. The particle sizes of the AgNPS were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photographs showed that the silver sol consisted of well dispersed spherical shaped nanoparticles with particle size ranging between 6.24 and 7.84 nm. A typical plasmon absorption band at 430 nm was observed for the silver nanoparticles. 2,2′-(2-phenyl acetylazanediyl)diacetic acid acted as a reducing as well as adsorbing agent in the preparation of these spherical, silver nanoparticles. Both silver nanoparticles and Ag(I) complex proved to have antibacterial as well as antifungal activities.

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