Abstract:
The water soluble fraction (WSF) of diesel particulate matter (DPM), an environmental pollutant was used to
synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). FTIR, fluorescence and UV-Vis data suggest that water soluble oxygenated
PAHs in the WSF of DPM are capped to the surface of AgNPs providing the stability. The particle size, the size
distribution, and the crystalline nature were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction
(XRD) analysis. The particles are spherical in shape having an average size of 7.7±1.5 nm. The antimicrobial activity of
synthesized AgNPs was investigated using Agar well diffusion method and an enhanced activity was shown against the
pathogens of Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus auerus. A high level of photocatalytic activity for
the degradation of rhodamine B and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a common dye and a pesticide was
exhibited by the AgNPs
