Starch [(C6H10O5)
n
]-stabilized bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in a single-pot
reaction
using bismuth nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O) and sodium sulfide (Na2S) as precursors.
Bi2S3 NPs were stable over time and a wide band
gap of 2.86 eV was observed. The capping of starch on the Bi2S3 NPs prevents them from agglomeration and provides regular
uniform shapes. The synthesized Bi2S3 NPs were
quasispherical, and the measured average particle size was ∼11
nm. The NPs are crystalline with an orthorhombic structure as determined
by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.
The existence and interaction of starch on the NP’s surface
were analyzed using circular dichroism. Impedance spectroscopy was
used to measure the electronic behavior of Bi2S3 NPs at various temperatures and frequencies. The dielectric measurements
on the NPs show high dielectric polarizations. Furthermore, it was
observed that the synthesized Bi2S3 NPs inhibited
bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus
aureus) and demonstrated substantial antibacterial
activity.
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