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This work reports, for the first time, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using extracts of the species of Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans (AgNPs-S). Their antibacterial and catalytic properties are compared with silver nanoparticles obtained by chemical synthesis (AgNPs-C). The characterization of AgNPs-S and AgNPs-C was carried out using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sargassum extract was optimized through varying experimental parameters, such as the type of solvent used to prepare the extract, the volume of the extract, and the pH of the system. The most efficient sample (AgNPs-S) was prepared with a water–ethanol-based extract, using a 3:1 volumetric ratio of extract: a precursor salt with the addition of 1 mL of NaOH pH = 14. The AgNPs-C were spherical in shape, with an average particle size of 11.55 nm, while the AgNPs-S were polyhedral shaped, with an average particle size of 26.39 nm. The synthesized AgNPs-S were found to have significantly higher catalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue and more effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa than AgNPs-C.

The present work shows the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through a green method, using sargassum extracts, which provide the reducing and stabilizing compounds. The conditions of the medium in which the reaction was carried out was evaluated, that is, magnetic stirring, ultrasound assisted, and resting condition. UV-Vis, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the synthesis of ZnO with nanometric crystal size. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the morphology and size of the particles depends on the synthesis condition used. It obtained particles between 20 and 200 nm in the sample without agitation, while the samples with stirring and ultrasound were 80 nm and 100 nm, respectively. ZnO nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa. A quantitative analysis was performed by varying the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles. In all cases, the antibacterial activity against Gram-positives was greater than against Gram-negatives. Ultrasound-assisted ZnO nanoparticles showed the highest activity, around 99% and 80% for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the study of the anti-inflammatory activity of ZnO nanoparticles; the ultrasound-assisted sample exhibited the highest percentage (93%), even above that shown by diclofenac, which was used as a reference. Therefore, the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized with sargassum extracts have properties that can be used safely and efficiently in the field of biomedicine.

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Here it is proposed the use of nickel supported on carbon nanotubes and carbon nanospheres as a cheaper catalyst alternative to the platinum electrodes for the oxidation process of ammonia. Using scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the Ni on the surface of the carbon nanostructures and based on the electrochemical results is established that the redox process between Ni +2 and Ni +3 plays the role of intermediate in the ammonia oxidation reaction. This process causes an increment in the anodic current density that is dependent on the pH and ammonia concentration. Even more, using the rotating disk electrode technique, the ammonia oxidation, is defined as a diffusion-controlled process that follows firstorder kinetics in respect of the concentration of ammonia and suggests the formation of nitrogen as the principal reaction product, where the carbon nanospheres present the best results.