Evaluation of physicochemical properties, and antimicrobial efficacy of monoclinic sulfur-nanocolloid

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2013-04, Vol.15 (4), p.1, Article 1491
• Main Authors: Roy Choudhury, Samrat, Mandal, Amrita, Chakravorty, Dipankar, Gopal, Madhuban, Goswami, Arunava
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Colloids; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Cytotoxicity; Electron, ion, and scanning probe microscopy; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transforms; Gravimetric analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties; Materials Science; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanoscale materials: clusters, nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanocrystals; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physicochemical properties; Physics; Research Paper; Scanning probe microscopy: scanning tunneling, atomic force, scanning optical, magnetic force, etc; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Sulfur; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thermal decomposition; Topology; X-ray diffraction; Zeta potential
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-013-1491-y

Stable nanocolloids of monoclinic sulfur (β-SNPs) were prepared through ‘water-in-oil microemulsion technique’ at room temperature after suitable modifications of the surface. The morphology (rod shaped; ~50 nm in diameter) and allotropic nature (monoclinic) of the SNPs were investigated with Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction technique. The surface modification, colloidal stability, and surface topology of β-SNPs were evaluated with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, and Atomic Force Microscopy. Thermal decomposition pattern of these nanosized particles was determined by Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). β-SNPs-colloids expressed excellent antimicrobial activities against a series of fungal and bacterial isolates with prominent deformities at their surface. In contrast, insignificant cytotoxicity was achieved against the human derived hepatoma (HepG2) cell line upon treatment with β-SNPs. A simultaneous study was performed to determine the stock concentration of β-SNP-colloids using a novel high phase liquid chromatographic method. Cumulative results of this study hence, elucidate the stabilization of nanosized monoclinic sulfur at room temperature and their potential antimicrobial efficacy over micron-sized sulfur.