"Green" synthesis of Ag2S nanoparticles, study of their properties and bioimaging applications

Ag2S is an important functional semiconductor material that have received considerable research interest in recent years. The aim of this study was to develop a new method of "green" synthesis of silver sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) using Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium. Silver nitrate and sodium sulfide were used as silver and sulfur precursors of NP production, respectively. Biosynthesized NPs absorption maxima corresponded to 315 and 470 nm. Luminescent spectrum had a wide peak at 520 nm. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was used to establish the size, morphology and crystal structure of obtained Ag2S NPs. Diameter of synthesized Ag-based NPs was within 10-15 nm, they were spherical in shape. It was found that Ag2S NPs possessed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus thuringiensis. After treatment of cells the localization of Ag2S NPs was shown (WHERE?) and no significant genotoxic effects were found in plant cells. Due to intense luminescence and nanosize the resulting nanoparticles can be considered as a novel fluorescence probes in cell biology studies.