Optimizing the synthesis of hydrotalcite-silver nanoparticles-Allium tuberosum L. hybrid material and its application in chitosan membranes

In this study, a biosynthesis process was applied to decorate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on hydrotalcite (HT) surfaces using Allium tuberosum (AT) L. extract as a green reducing agent. The Sapindus saponaria L. fruit extract was used as a biosurfactant to improve the dispersion of HT in an aqueous medium during the synthesis of AgNPs on HT. The technological factors for the biosynthesis process were optimized using the response surface methodology and the Box-Behnken design. Under optimal conditions, the HT-AgNPs-AT hybrid material (HTAgAT) was characterized by Infrared spectroscopy, Ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray-Mapping, X-ray diffraction, Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and Thermogravimetric analysis methods. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the HTAgAT hybrid material was assessed on E. coli, S. aureus, antibiotic-resistant E. coli, and C. albicans strains. The results confirmed that AgNPs were formed and uniformly distributed on the surface of the HT carrier. The HTAgAT hybrid material exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, which could be sustained for a long time. Furthermore, the HTAgAT hybrid material can remarkably enhance the surface properties and antimicrobial activity of chitosan membranes. The findings suggest that HTAgAT materials are promising for applications in biopolymer composites and antimicrobial materials.