Synthesis and characterization of surfactant stabilized nanocolloidal dispersion of silver chloride in aqueous medium

•Surfactant stabilized AgCl nanoparticles in aqueous medium were synthesized.•AgCl nanoparticles remained stable for at least six months.•Nanoparticles were stabilized by a bilayer like envelope of surfactants.•AgCl nanoparticles catalyzed degradation of pinacyanol chloride.•AgCl nanoparticles evidenced antibacterial activity.

Nanocolloidal dispersion of silver chloride was successfully synthesized in aqueous medium using three different cationic surfactants. In the one pot synthesis, surfactant molecules served dual purposes: they acted as the source for the chloride ion as well as the capping agents. Formation of the surfactant stabilized nanoparticle was established from Raman spectra. Surfactant molecules stabilized the nanoparticles through the formation of a double layer like structure. Surfactant stabilized growth process for the nanoparticles followed first order kinetics as revealed from the quasi-elastic light scattering measurement. Size and morphology of the particles were found to be dependent on the concentration of silver ion as well as the surfactant head group. A catalytic amount of silver chloride nanoparticle degraded the carcinogenic dye pinacyanol chloride. Antibacterial activity of AgCl nanoparticle was assessed using a gram positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis.

Graphical abstractSurfactant stabilized AgCl dispersions: proposed model, morphology, catalytic and antibacterial activity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide