Preparation and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles in deep eutectic solvent

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are playing an increasingly important role in industries and medical fields as an antibacterial nanomaterial. Hence, green production of AgNPs is crucial. In this study, molecular simulations were employed to explore the reduction capability of D-glucose in deep eutectic solvent (DES). The AgNPs were prepared in a glucose-based DES without the addition of any reducing agents. The AgNPs were nearly spherical with diameters increasing from 32 nm to 56 nm as the silver ion concentration increased. When used the DES composed of betaine and urea as an adjuvant, the AgNPs exhibited better antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. natto compared to the AgNPs in water suspension. This research provided an effective pathway for the green production of AgNPs and proposed a new method for the production of an antibacterial agent primarily composed of AgNPs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.