nature.com

Green synthesis of silver sulfide quantum dots using tarragon and evaluation of cytotoxic effect on HFF2 cells

Abstract

Due to their special features, quantum dots have recently attracted the attention of researchers in the fields of imaging, drug delivery, and cancer treatment. In this study, we prepared Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) intending to control the nucleus growth and reduce toxicity in Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) extract substrate using the green synthesis method. Synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed using different characterization techniques. The DLS data analysis showed that Ag2S QDs prepared by the green synthesis method have a mean size of 56 nm, which is smaller compared to chemical synthesis. Additionally, the synthesis of Ag2S QDs with tarragon extract decreased the zeta potential from − 13 eV to -21 eV, which can be effective in enhancing colloidal stability and increasing their presence in the bloodstream. Examining the hemolysis data showed that the synthesis of Ag2S QDs with tarragon extract significantly reduces the lysis of red blood cells by modifying the surface chemistry. The cell culture data also confirmed the results of hemolysis, indicating increased cell viability with Ag2S QDs tarragon. These results indicated that the use of tarragon extract as a green synthesis material contributes to the biocompatibility and safety of Ag2S QDs.

Introduction

Quantum dots (QDs), due to quantum mechanics, have different optical and electrical properties compared to larger particles. These properties depend on the size of QDs. In other words, by changing their size and increasing their diameter, the emitted wavelength increases, and the colors emitted change from green to orange and red1,2. The exciting properties of silver QDs, including their small particle size, tunable composition, properties, and high quantum efficiency, make them suitable candidates for imaging3, drug delivery4, and photodynamic cancer therapy5. In fact, the performance and capabilities of nanoparticles can be changed by altering their size and shape. in other words, the performance of nanoparticles is a shape- and size-dependent behavior6. Significantly interesting are silver sulfide (Ag2S) QDs with strong size-dependent luminescence in the near-infrared range. These items are practically insoluble in water and don’t have any harmful properties, which is crucial for a variety of uses7,8. Among all the quantum dots like CdS, CdSe, PbS and Ag2S QD, Ag2S QDs has attracted much attention due to the reason of being non-toxic and their extensive use in biomedical applications like antimicrobial, bio-imaging and environmental applications. Changes in the type of solvent have an impact on the reactivity, the rate of atomic diffusion in the colloidal solution, and, consequently, the rates of chemical and photochemical reactions in the medium9,10. Silver sulfide quantum dots has been produced by different methods such as hydrochemical deposition, template method, sol-gel method, synthesis in micro-emulsions, as well as by sonochemical, hydrothermal, solvothermal, electrochemical, microwave and other techniques. However, many of these methods are not universal11. These methods need high pressure &high temperature condition in addition to post treatment like thermal treatment12. Therefore, wet chemical method is a method with low cost, simplicity, is easy to apply and do not require high temperature and pressure conditions13. One crucial aspect to consider when discussing nanoparticles is their toxicity, which can depend on the chemistry of their surface, shape, or size14. In terms of toxicity, studies have shown that QDs can damage cells by disrupting cell proliferation, inducing programmed cell death, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), and causing DNA damage, ultimately leading to cell death15,16. In addition to the above, a significant challenge we face today is protecting the environment and reducing environmental pollutants, leading to the emergence of the concept of green synthesis17. The preparation of metal nanoparticles with the help of living organisms has been one of the methods of interest. Among living organisms, plants are used more because of their suitability for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles on a large scale and high synthesis speed compared to microorganisms18. In this project, Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) was used for the green synthesis of silver QDs. Besides its role in the green synthesis of silver QDs, tarragon also affects their toxicity by reaction them and altering the surface chemistry. Among the properties of tarragon, we can mention the reduction of the bitterness of the drugs and the use of alcohol tincture as a sedative and anticonvulsant in epilepsy19. Additionally, tarragon’s phenolic and flavonoid compounds, along with its antioxidant ability, contribute to its anticancer and antibacterial effects20,21. Controlling the growth of the nucleus, the synthesis of silver QDs on a tarragon extract substrate prevents excessive growth and results in the formation of smaller QDs compared to the state without the extract or its chemical state. Comparing their performance with conventionally synthesized QDs can further emphasize the novelty of this research. By utilizing *Artemisia* for the synthesis of Ag₂S QDs, this study presents a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical methods22,23,24. Including this comparative analysis in the introduction will help establish the significance and innovation of the research while setting the stage for subsequent discussions and findings25,26. The phenolic and flavonoid compounds in Artemisia dracunculus play a crucial role in reducing the toxicity of nanoparticles by acting as reducing agents, stabilizing nanoparticles, providing antioxidant protection, reducing the release of toxic metal ions, and enhancing the biocompatibility of nanoparticles27. These properties make Artemisia dracunculus an ideal candidate for green synthesis of nanoparticles with reduced environmental and biological toxicity28. Therefore, in this research, we decided to synthesis of QDs with smaller sizes than their chemical synthesis by synthesizing silver sulfide QDs with tarragon extract, and reduce of the toxicity them. Finally, the toxicity of synthesized silver sulfide QDs in human fibroblast cell line HFF 2 was investigated. To this project by preparing silver sulfide QDs with the green synthesis method, we tried to avoid the production of chemical pollutants and protect our environment.

Methods and materials

Silver nitrate, DMEM, FBS, PBS buffer and MTT were obtained from the Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, USA), thiourea, DMSO, ethanol was obtained from the Merck (Kenilworth, USA), (St. Louis, USA) and HFF-2 cell line were obtained from the Pasteur Institute (Iran).

Synthesis of silver sulfide (Ag2S) QDs by chemical method

For the synthesis of Ag2S QDs, first 30 mL of distilled water into a round bottom flask and place it in an oil bath on a heater until its temperature reaches 75°C. During the temperature rise, the inlet of the round bottom balloon was blocked to prevent water evaporation. After the temperature reached 75°C, 60 mg of silver nitrate was added to the distilled water inside the round bottom flask and was subjected to magnetic stirring to dissolve the silver nitrate in the water. Then 15 mg of thiourea was added to the solution. and was subjected to a magnetic stirrer at a temperature of 75°C for 1 hour(h). After 1 h, the temperature was changed from 75°C to ambient temperature, then the solution was centrifuged at 19,000 rpm for 15 min to precipitate Ag2S QDs and then washed again with minimal distilled water. It was sonicated by a probe sonicator (Sonics&Materials Inc. 500-Watt ultrasonic processor equipped with a ½” diameter probe. The ultrasonic processor was operated at a frequency of 20 kHz and amplitude of 40%.) for 15 min to turn into a homogeneous solution, then it was stored in a refrigerator at 4 °C until structure determination experiments were performed.

Green synthesis of Ag2S- Tarragon QDs

First, 240 mg of Artemisia dracunculus alcoholic extract was dissolved in 30 mL of deionized water and the temperature of the solution was increased to 75 °C, then 60 mg of silver nitrate and 5 mg of thiourea were added (they were added at the same time) to the reaction mixture. Finally, after 1 h, the temperature of the reaction mixture was reduced to the ambient temperature, and a homogeneous solution was prepared using a centrifuge and a sonicator probe, and it was kept in a refrigerator at 4 °C until the characterization tests.

Characterization

Morphology, hydrodynamic size, and surface charge of nanoparticles were investigated by TEM and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) (Malvern Instruments, Worcestershire, U.K., ZEN 3600 model NanoZS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the functional groups of nanoparticles (Bruker, Tensor 27, USA). Nanoparticles were optically analyzed utilizing the UV-Vis spectrum with Analyticgen SPECORD 210 PLUS model from Germany in the 200–900 nm range. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of QDs was determined using a D8-advance diffractometer (Bruker AXS) with Cu-Kα radiation (l = 1.542 Å). The scanning angle was set over a 20 degree range from 20◦ to 80◦.

Safety evaluation of QDs via hemolysis

As part of our safety evaluation process for QDs, we conducted hemolysis tests to assess their impact on blood cells and components upon entering the bloodstream. This testing was carried out in accordance with our established protocols, as outlined in our previous work.

Cytotoxicity investigation

Human fibroblast cell line HFF- 2(HFF-2 cell line were obtained from the Pasteur Institute (Iran).) was cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% FBS and 1% penicillin/streptomycin at 37 °C. 24 h after seeding the cells in a 96-well plate, the cells were exposed to different concentrations of Ag2S QDs and Ag2S - tarragon QDs for 48 h, then the culture medium was supplemented with 20 µL MTT solution (5 mg/L) was replaced, and incubated for another 4 h. Finally, after adding 100 µL of DMSO to each well, the absorbance of formazan at a wavelength of 570 nm with a microplate reader (Bio-Tek, USA) read.

Result and discussion

Investigation of UV-Vis spectra of Ag2S-QDs

The UV-Vis scanning technique is a widely used indirect method for identifying chemical compounds based on their absorption at specific wavelengths, known as λ max. In this study, we utilized UV-Vis scanning to verify the successful synthesis of Ag2S-tarragon QDs by comparing their peaks with those of Ag2S QDs. Figure 1 shows that tarragon extract shows two peaks at wavelengths of 272 and 316 nm and a small peak at 670 nm, while Ag2S QDs show peaks at 430 and 260 nm29. The presence of these peaks in Ag2S-tarragon QDs serves as evidence of successful synthesis.

Fig. 1

figure 1

UV-Vis spectrum of tarragon, Ag2S-tarragon QDs and Ag2S QDs.

Full size image

Investigation of FT-IR spectra of Ag2S-QDs

In Fig. 2, the FTIR spectrum of plant extract shows the characteristics of absorption bands of functional groups such as alcohol, phenol, amine, and carbonyl. The characteristic peaks observed at 3396 cm−1, 1625 cm−1, and 3442 cm−1 are vibrational bands corresponding to alcohol O-H, alkene C = C, and amines -NH2. According to the obtained results, phenolic agents present in tarragon extract are probably biomolecules that can restore and cover the quantum dot surface and increase the stability and dispersion of the resulting nanoparticles. Also, the peak in the range of 485 cm−1can be related to Ag2S QDs, which can be seen in the spectrum of Ag2S QDs and Ag2S-tarragon QDs.

Fig. 2

figure 2

FTIR spectrum of Ag2S-tarragon QDs, Ag2S QDs and tarragon.

Full size image

Size and zeta potential distribution of Ag2S-QDs

The hydrodynamic size and polydispersity index (PDI) of Ag2S-tarragon QDs and chemically synthesized Ag2S QDs, as well as their zeta potential (surface charge), which is a critical parameter for colloidal system stability, were examined using the DLS technique. Figure 3 illustrates that chemically synthesized Ag2S QDs exhibit a larger hydrodynamic size compared to Ag2S-tarragon QDs synthesized on the tarragon extract substrate using the green synthesis method. This difference can be attributed to the control of kernel growth achieved through the green synthesis method facilitated by the tarragon extract. Furthermore, the synthesis of Ag2S QDs with tarragon extract reduces their surface charge, which holds significant importance in in vivo studies. Decreasing the surface charge can prolong the circulation time of the nanoparticle in the bloodstream. The zeta potential of Ag₂S QDs plays a crucial role in determining their colloidal stability. Zeta potential is a measure of the electrical charge on the surface of nanoparticles, which affects their interparticle interactions. High Zeta Potential: A high positive or negative zeta potential (typically > ± 30 mV) leads to strong electrostatic repulsion between particles, preventing aggregation and enhancing colloidal stability30. This ensures the nanoparticles remain dispersed in the solution and do not clump together. Low Zeta Potential: If the zeta potential is low (close to 0 mV), the electrostatic repulsion is weak, allowing van der Waals forces to dominate, which increases the likelihood of aggregation and31. Thus, maintaining an optimal zeta potential is key to ensuring long-term dispersion and stability of Ag₂S QDs in solution, which is important for their effective application in various fields, including drug delivery and imaging.

Fig. 3

figure 3

Hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of Ag2S QDs and Ag2S-tarragon QDs.

Full size image

Morphology investigation Ag2S-QDs

The results of morphological examination using TEM reveal that Ag2S -tarragon QDs possess a spherical structure with an average size of 7.5 nm. Furthermore, the particles exhibit uniform shape, as depicted in Fig. 4(A). TEM images of chemically prepared Ag2S-QDs also showed a spherical structure with a mean size of 6 nm Fig. 4(B).

Fig. 4

figure 4

TEM imaging & Size distribution of nanoparticles according to TEM (A) Ag2S -tarragon QDs, (B) Ag2S - QDs.

Full size image

Fig. 5

figure 5

XRD patterns of Ag 2 S-tarragon QDs.

Full size image

Analysis of the X-ray scattering pattern of synthesized

The X-ray diffraction pattern of Ag2S-tarragon QDs at 110,112,122,031,200,131,211 is shown in Fig. 5, which indicates that the XRD data are similar to the reference data ((JCPDS-01–075-1061)) and other reports.

Fig. 6

figure 6

The graph related to the percentage of hemolysis of red blood cells in different concentrations of Ag 2 S QDs and Ag 2 S- tarragon QDs.

Full size image

Hemolysis test

To assess the hematotoxicity of chemically synthesized Ag2S QDs and green synthesis Ag2S QDs prepared with tarragon extract a hemolysis test was conducted. In this experiment, deionized water was used as a positive control and PBS buffer was used as a negative control. The hemolysis levels were evaluated at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/mL for both Ag2S QDs and Ag2S - tarragon QDs. The results (Fig. 6) indicate that the hemolysis percentage was less than 5% for all tested concentrations. This finding suggests that neither the chemically synthesized Ag2S QDs nor Ag2S - tarragon QDs have a toxic effect on blood cells. The low level of hemolysis observed in this study indicates that these QDs are biocompatible and suitable for applications in the biological and medical fields. These results provide evidence that the use of tarragon extract as a green synthesis material contributes to the biocompatibility and safety of Ag2S QDs. Plant-mediated quantum dot synthesis is faster, and the resulting QDs are more stable compared to microbe-mediated synthesis. Important components of plant extracts are amino acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic, and other compounds. Phenols play the role of reducing agents that stabilize NPs due to their interaction with their carboxyl groups, ensuring the production of stable QDs. The mechanism of biosynthesis Synthesis of Ag2S QDs using different biological matrices. In bacteria, for example, a key element in the intracellular synthesis of QDs is the cell wall. Metal ions interact with the negatively charged cell wall, while cell wall enzymes reduce metal ions to QDs. Extracellular synthesis of QDs mainly occurs with the act of the enzyme nitrate reductase. Plant-mediated quantum dot synthesis is faster, and the resulting QDs are more stable compared to microbe-mediated synthesis. Important components of plant extracts are amino acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic, and other compounds. Phenols play the role of reducing agents that stabilize QDs due to their interaction with their carboxyl groups, ensuring the production of stable QDs. The mechanism of biosynthesis of QDs depends on the selected biological object, the solution of the appropriate inorganic salt, the pH level, and QDs location.

Fig. 7

figure 7

Cell viability graph of HFF 2 cells after 48 h of treatment with Ag 2 S QDs and Ag 2 S-Tarragon QDs.

Full size image

Cell viability test

The objective of this experiment was to assess the biocompatibility of synthesized Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) with body cells and to investigate the reduction of their toxicity through synthesis them with tarragon extract using green chemistry principles. In this study, the toxicity of both types of QDs was evaluated by increasing the concentration on the HFF2 cell line, and significant differences were observed between them. As the concentration of QDs increased, the toxicity of both types also increased. However, at equal concentrations, the QDs prepared with tarragon extract exhibited higher cell survival rates and lower toxicity compared to the uncoated QDs. This indicates the successful reduction of toxicity through the synthesis of QDs with tarragon extract. Overall, the synthesized QDs demonstrated a survival rate of more than 50% in all cases studied (as shown in Fig. 7). These findings highlight the potential of tarragon extract in enhancing the biocompatibility and reducing the toxicity of Ag2S QDs. Using Artemisia dracunculus for nanoparticle synthesis offers several environmental benefits, aligning with the principles of green chemistry. Traditional nanoparticle synthesis often involves toxic chemicals. In contrast, Artemisia dracunculus uses natural phytochemicals like flavonoids and polyphenols as reducing agents, eliminating the need for harmful substances and minimizing environmental pollution22. Nanoparticles produced from this plant are more biodegradable than those made with synthetic chemicals, reducing long-term environmental impact32. The green synthesis process requires lower energy, as it can be carried out under ambient conditions, unlike traditional methods that need high temperatures and pressures25. Artemisia dracunculus is a fast-growing, renewable resource, making it a sustainable option for nanoparticle production without the need for intensive agricultural practices25. Nanoparticles synthesized from this plant can be used in pollution control applications, such as removing heavy metals from contaminated water, adding an additional environmental benefit26. In summary, the use of Artemisia dracunculus in nanoparticle synthesis offers a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods, reducing toxicity, waste, and energy consumption

In Table 1, Ag2S-Tarragon QDs are compared with other quantum dots. As can be seen in the table, Ag2S-Tarragon QDs have a smaller size and better biocompatibility against healthy cells compared to other quantum dots.

Table 1 Ag2S-Tarragon QDs are compared with other quantum dots.

Full size table

Conclusion

In this project, we effectively manipulated the growth of nuclei through the use of tarragon extract, which led to the production of Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) with smaller sizes compared to those synthesized chemically. Moreover, by applying a tarragon extract to synthesis of Ag2S QDs, we successfully mitigated their toxicity levels. The results of hemolysis and cell viability experiments demonstrate the significance of optimizing the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles to enhance their performance and biocompatibility. Our study was limited to investigating the effect of QDs in a specific cell line. To achieve more comprehensive and generalize results, it is suggested that future research include more diverse cell lines. The use of different cell lines can help identify differences in cell response to treatment and evaluate the effectiveness of nanoparticles in different conditions. This approach can lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of the effect of nanoparticles on different types of cells and the identification of cell lines with different sensitivity or resistance.

As a result, a significant limitation of the current research is the lack of analysis of cell cycle stages, which prevents a deeper understanding of the effect of cell cycle stages on the effectiveness of radiation therapy. Moreover; the other limitation of the present study is that this study the other tests such as production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, initiation of DNA damage, and effects on the cell cycle did not investigate. Thus, it needs more research to investigate DNA repair, cell cycle arrest and cell aging in relation to X-ray radiation. It is also better to investigate the condition in vitro and in vivo using a wider range of concentrations and different treatment times are necessary to better understand the effects and optimize the treatment.

Data availability

The datasets used during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

Mohamed, W. A. et al. Quantum Dots synthetization and future prospect applications. Nanatechnol. Reviews. 10(1), 1926–1940 (2021).

CASMATHGoogle Scholar

Yoffe, A. D. Semiconductor quantum Dots and related systems: electronic, optical, luminescence and related properties of low dimensional systems. Adv. Phys. 50(1), 1–208 (2001).

ADSCASMATHGoogle Scholar

Tang, R. et al. Tunable ultrasmall visible-to-extended near-infrared emitting silver sulfide quantum Dots for integrin-targeted cancer imaging. ACS Nano. 9(1), 220–230 (2015).

CASPubMedPubMed CentralMATHGoogle Scholar

Badıllı, U. et al. Role of quantum Dots in pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, and its application in drug delivery. TRAC Trends Anal. Chem. 131, 116013 (2020).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Borovaya, M. et al. Synthesis, properties and bioimaging applications of silver-based quantum Dots. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22(22), 12202 (2021).

CASPubMedPubMed CentralMATHGoogle Scholar

Kladko, D. V. et al. Nanomaterial shape influence on cell behavior. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22(10), 5266 (2021).

PubMedPubMed CentralMATHGoogle Scholar

Kondratenko, T. S. et al. Luminescence and nonlinear optical properties of colloidal Ag2S quantum dots J. Lumin. (2019).

Ovchinnikov, O. V. et al. Luminescence of colloidal Ag2S/ZnS core/shell quantum dots capped with thioglycolic acid J. (2020).

Smirnov, M. S. et al. IR luminescence mechanism in colloidal Ag2S quantum dots J. (2020).

10, J. et al. Facile Synthesis of Silver Sulphide Quantum Dots by One Pot Reversemicroemulsion Under Ambient Temperature Mater (Lett, 2019).

Google Scholar

Neelgund, G. M. et al. Photocatalytic activity of cds and Ag2S quantum Dots deposited on Poly (amidoamine) functionalized carbon nanotubes appl. Catal. B: Environ. (2011).

Perepelitsa, A. S. et al. Thermostimulated luminescence of colloidal Ag2S quantum dots J. (2018).

Smirnov, M. S. et al. Photoexcitation dynamics in hybrid associates of Ag2S quantum dots with methylene blue J. (2021).

Khan, I., Saeed, K. & Khan, I. Nanoparticles: properties, applications and toxicities. Arab. J. Chem. 12(7), 908–931 (2019).

CASMATHGoogle Scholar

Nikazar, S. et al. Revisiting the cytotoxicity of quantum Dots: an in-depth overview. Biophys. Rev. 12, 703–718 (2020).

PubMedPubMed CentralMATHGoogle Scholar

Vardar, D. Ö. et al. An in vitro study on the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of silver sulfide quantum Dots coated with meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid. Turkish J. Pharm. Sci. 16(3), 282 (2019).

MathSciNetCASMATHGoogle Scholar

Virkutyte, J. & Varma, R. Green synthesis of nanomaterials: environmental aspects, in Sustainable nanotechnology and the environment: advances and achievements. ACS Publications pp. 11–39. (2013).

Ahmad, S. et al. Green nanotechnology: A review on green synthesis of silver nanoparticles—An ecofriendly approach. Int. J. Nanomed., : pp. 5087–5107. (2019).

Aglarova, A., Zilfikarov, I. & Severtseva, O. Biological characteristics and useful properties of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L). Pharm. Chem. J. 42(2), 81–86 (2008).

CASGoogle Scholar

Motafeghi, F. et al. The cytotoxic effect of the Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) hydroalcoholic extract on the HT-29, MKN45, and MCF-7 cell lines. Pharm. Biomedical Res. 9 (1), 27–36 (2023).

CASGoogle Scholar

Behbahani, B. A. et al. Antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effect of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) extract and chemical composition of its essential oil. J. Food Meas. Charact. 11, 847–863 (2017).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Basu, S. et al. Phytochemical Synthesis Nanopart. Green. Chem., 22(12), 3941–3958. (2020).

Google Scholar

Singh, S. et al. Biodegradation and environmental safety of green-synthesized nanoparticles. Nanomedicine 12(4), 1077–1092 (2016).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Zhao, Y. et al. Energy-efficient green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant extracts. J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 18(4), 2901–2911 (2018).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Sahoo, S. K. et al. Eco-friendly synthesis of nanoparticles using plant resources. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 54, 123–134 (2017).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Dizaj, S. M. et al. Use Nanopart. Water Treat. Environ. Nanatechnol., 8, 41–48. (2016).

Google Scholar

Zhao, Y. et al. Antioxidant properties of plant-derived nanoparticles. Environ. Nanatechnol. Monit. Manage. 8, 81–88 (2017).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Huang, J. et al. Green synthesis of nanoparticles: A review of the role of plant polyphenols and flavonoids in nanoparticle formation. Mater. Sci. Eng., C. 96, 107–115 (2019).

ADSMATHGoogle Scholar

Ambalika Sharma, R., Sharma, N., Thakur, P., Sharma, A. & Kumari Silver sulphide (Ag2S) quantum Dots synthesized from aqueous route with enhanced antimicrobial and dye degradation capabilities, physica E: Low-dimensional systems and nanostructures, 151, 115730. (2023).

Mohapatra, S. et al. Zeta potential and its role in colloidal stability of nanoparticles. J. Nanomaterials. 2020, 1–10 (2020).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Huang, X. et al. Effects of zeta potential on the colloidal stability of nanoparticles. Mater. Sci. Eng., C. 98, 1086–1094 (2019).

ADSMATHGoogle Scholar

Pandey, S. K. et al. Flavonoid-mediated green synthesis of nanoparticles and their environmental applications. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 27(10), 10623–10634 (2020).

MATHGoogle Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Deputy of Research of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences [A-12-430-51, ethical code: IR. ZUMS. REC.1400.098].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Ali Mohammadi, Hajar Safari, Ali Sharafi & Hossein Danafar

Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Ali Mohammadi, Mohadese Belbasi, Ali Sharafi & Hossein Danafar

Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Alireza Yazdinezhad

Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Mehran Mohammadian Fazli

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Postal Code, Zanjan, 45139-56184, Iran

Alireza Yazdinezhad & Hossein Danafar

Authors

Ali Mohammadi

View author publications