Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Solidago microglossa in Cellulose Acetate Nanofibers for Antibacterial Air Filtration
Gustavo Cardoso da Mata, Paulo Augusto Marques Chagas, Deisy Teles de Araújo, Edilton Nunes da Silva, Felipe de Aquino Lima, Clóvis Wesley Oliveira de Souza, Vádila Giovana Guerra, Wanderley Pereira Oliveira, Mônica Lopes AguiarAbstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as promising materials for biocidal applications; however, conventional synthesis routes often rely on hazardous chemicals, requiring post-synthesis purification and raising environmental and health concerns. Here, AgNPs were rapidly produced (<20 min) by green synthesis using Arnica-brasileira (Solidago microglossa) extract and incorporated into electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers. The resulting AgNPs were spherical and colloidally stable (ζ = −28.6 mV; 31 nm), as confirmed by EDS, XRD, and XRF. SEM and TEM showed that AgNP incorporation altered nanofiber morphology, reducing the average fiber diameter from 420 nm (neat CA) to <260 nm, while FTIR, DSC, and TGA indicated changes in the structural and thermal behavior of the CA matrix. The air-filtration performance was evaluated under nanoparticle aerosol conditions and benchmarked against two commercial reference filter media. AgNP-loaded mats achieved a >99.48% collection efficiency with pressure drops below 260 Pa. Overall, this work demonstrates a fast, low-cost, and sustainable route to AgNP-functionalized CA nanofibers with high-efficiency nanoparticle filtration and added antimicrobial potential.