Robert Prucek

2011

• J. Cuda, T. Kohout, J. Tucek, J. Haloda, J. Filip, R. Prucek, and R. Zboril, “Low-temperature magnetic transition in troilite: A simple marker for
  highly stoichiometric FeS systems,” JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH, vol. 116, 2011.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000297257000001,
  Author = Cuda, J. and Kohout, T. and Tucek, J. and Haloda, J. and Filip, J. and
     Prucek, R. and Zboril, R.,
  Title = Low-temperature magnetic transition in troilite: A simple marker for
     highly stoichiometric FeS systems,
  Journal = JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH,
  Year = 2011,
  Volume = 116,
  Month = NOV 15,
  Abstract = Low-temperature magnetic evolution of troilite sample, extracted from
     the Cape York IIIA octahedrite meteorite, was investigated by employing
     macroscopic magnetic measurement, Mssbauer spectroscopy, scanning
     electron microscopy (SEM) and backscattered electrons (BSE) microscopy,
     X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microprobe analysis (EMA), and atomic
     absorption spectrometry (AAS). The study identified a magnetic
     transition at approximate to 70 K manifested itself in a similar manner
     as previously reported for troilite from the Bruderheim L6 chondrite
     meteorite. The data show that this transition is unlikely driven by
     impurity such as chromite and seems to be rather an intrinsic property
     of troilite. In this study, we unambiguously exclude the relation of
     this transition to the structural rearrangement like the Morin
     transition in hematite. Similarly, in-field Mssbauer data do not support
     the change of the canting angle in the spin structure of FeS above and
     below the transition. Mssbauer, XRD, and magnetic data, newly measured
     also for troilite from the Bruderheim L6 chondrite, demonstrate that
     both studied troilite samples exhibit nearly the same magnetic and
     structural characteristics. Thus, the nature of the transition occurring
     at approximate to 70 K in both samples has identical characteristics and
     its detection can be used as a simple general marker for highly
     stoichiometric FeS systems.,
  DOI = 10.1029/2011JB008232,
  Article-Number = B11205,
  ISSN = 0148-0227,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000297257000001,
  

• R. Prucek, J. Tucek, M. Kilianova, A. Panacek, L. Kvitek, J. Filip, M. Kolar, K. Tomankova, and R. Zboril, “The targeted antibacterial and antifungal properties of magnetic
  nanocomposite of iron oxide and silver nanoparticles,” BIOMATERIALS, vol. 32, iss. 21, pp. 4704-4713, 2011.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000291571400003,
  Author = Prucek, Robert and Tucek, Jiri and Kilianova, Martina and Panacek, Ales
     and Kvitek, Libor and Filip, Jan and Kolar, Milan and Tomankova,
     Katerina and Zboril, Radek,
  Title = The targeted antibacterial and antifungal properties of magnetic
     nanocomposite of iron oxide and silver nanoparticles,
  Journal = BIOMATERIALS,
  Year = 2011,
  Volume = 32,
  Number = 21,
  Pages = 4704-4713,
  Month = JUL,
  Abstract = Two types of magnetic binary nanocomposites, Ag@Fe(3)O(4) and
     gamma-Fe(2)O(3)@Ag, were synthesized and characterized and their
     antibacterial activities were tested. As a magnetic component, Fe(3)O(4)
     (magnetite) nanoparticles with an average size of about 70 nm and
     monodisperse gamma-Fe(2)O(3) (maghemite) nanoparticles with an average
     size of 5 nm were used. Nanocomposites were prepared via in situ
     chemical reduction of silver ions by maltose in the presence of
     particular magnetic phase and molecules of polyacrylate serving as a
     spacer among iron oxide and silver nanoparticles. In the case of the
     Ag@Fe(3)O(4) nanocomposite, silver nanoparticles, caught at the surfaces
     of Fe(3)O(4) nanocrystals, were around 5 nm in a size. On the contrary,
     in the case of the gamma-Fe(2)O(3)@Ag nanocomposite, ultrafine
     gamma-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles surrounded silver nanoparticles ranging in
     a size between 20 and 40 nm. In addition, the molecules of polyacrylate
     in this nanocomposite type suppress considerably interparticle magnetic
     interactions as proved by magnetization measurements. Both synthesized
     nanocomposites exhibited very significant antibacterial and antifungal
     activities against ten tested bacterial strains (minimum inhibition
     concentrations (MIC) from 15.6 mg/L to 125 mg/L) and four candida
     species (MIC from 1.9 mg/L to 31.3 mg/L). Moreover, acute nanocomposite
     cytotoxicity against mice embryonal fibroblasts was observed at
     concentrations of higher than 430 mg/L (Ag@Fe(3)O(4)) and 292 mg/L
     (gamma-Fe(2)O(3)@Ag). With respect to the non-cytotoxic nature of the
     polyacrylate linker, both kinds of silver nanocomposites are well
     applicable for a targeted magnetic delivery of silver nanoparticles in
     medicinal and disinfection applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All
     rights reserved.,
  DOI = 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.03.039,
  ISSN = 0142-9612,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000291571400003,
  

• A. Panacek, R. Prucek, D. Safarova, M. Dittrich, J. Richtrova, K. Benickova, R. Zboril, and L. Kvitek, “Acute and Chronic Toxicity Effects of Silver Nanoparticles (NPs) on
  Drosophila melanogaster,” ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, vol. 45, iss. 11, pp. 4974-4979, 2011.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000291128700045,
  Author = Panacek, Ales and Prucek, Robert and Safarova, Dana and Dittrich, Milan
     and Richtrova, Jana and Benickova, Katerina and Zboril, Radek and
     Kvitek, Libor,
  Title = Acute and Chronic Toxicity Effects of Silver Nanoparticles (NPs) on
     Drosophila melanogaster,
  Journal = ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE \& TECHNOLOGY,
  Year = 2011,
  Volume = 45,
  Number = 11,
  Pages = 4974-4979,
  Month = JUN 1,
  Abstract = The use of nanoscaled materials is rapidly increasing, however, their
     possible ecotoxicological effects are still not precisely known. This
     work constitutes the first complex study focused on in vivo evaluation
     of the acute and chronic toxic effects and toxic limits of silver
     nanoparticles (NPs) on the eukaryotic organism Drosophila melanogaster.
     For the purpose of this study, silver NPs were prepared in the form of
     solid dispersion using microencapsulation method, where mannitol was
     used as an encapsulation agent. This newly prepared solid dispersion
     with a high concentration of silver NPs was exploited to prepare the
     standard Drosophila culture medium at a silver concentration range from
     10 mg . L(-1) to 100 mg . L(-1) of Ag in the case of the acute toxicity
     testing and at a concentration equal to S mg . L in the case of the
     chronic toxicity testing. The acute toxic effect of silver NPs on
     Drosophila melanogaster was observed for the silver concentration equal
     to 20 mg . L(-1). At this silver concentration, 50\% of the tested flies
     were unable to leave the pupae, and they did not finish their
     developmental cycle. Chronic toxicity of silver NPs was assessed by a
     long-term exposure of overall eight filial generations of Drosophila
     melanogaster to silver NPs. The long-term exposure to silver NPs
     influenced the fertility of Drosophila during the first three filial
     generations, nevertheless the fecundity of flies in subsequent
     generations consequently increased up to the level of the flies from the
     control sample due to the adaptability of flies to the silver NPs
     exposure.,
  DOI = 10.1021/es104216b,
  ISSN = 0013-936X,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000291128700045,
  

• R. Prucek, A. Panacek, J. Soukupova, R. Novotny, and L. Kvitek, “Reproducible synthesis of silver colloidal particles tailored for
  application in near-infrared surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy,” JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY, vol. 21, iss. 17, pp. 6416-6420, 2011.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000289524300045,
  Author = Prucek, Robert and Panacek, Ales and Soukupova, Jana and Novotny, Radko
     and Kvitek, Libor,
  Title = Reproducible synthesis of silver colloidal particles tailored for
     application in near-infrared surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy,
  Journal = JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY,
  Year = 2011,
  Volume = 21,
  Number = 17,
  Pages = 6416-6420,
  Abstract = Reproducible synthesis of silver colloidal particles, with diameters of
     hundreds of nanometres, represents an experimentally rather difficult
     task although they have revealed a great application potential in e. g.
     SERS. The newly developed method, based on the reduction of the complex
     anion [Ag(SO(3))(2)](3-), offers an approach enabling to manage the
     preparation of silver particles with adjustable average diameters in the
     interval from 200 nm up to 700 nm due to the choice of the reducing
     agent and the sulfite concentration. These particles proved their
     efficiency as substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy with
     the excitation in the near infrared region (lambda = 1064 nm) and
     therefore this newly developed method confirmed the expected application
     potential.,
  DOI = 10.1039/c0jm03870a,
  ISSN = 0959-9428,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000289524300045,
  

• R. Prucek, A. Panacek, A. Fargasova, V. Ranc, V. Masek, L. Kvitek, and R. Zboril, “Re-crystallization of silver nanoparticles in a highly concentrated NaCl
  environment-a new substrate for surface enhanced IR-visible Raman
  spectroscopy,” CRYSTENGCOMM, vol. 13, iss. 7, pp. 2242-2248, 2011.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000288562200014,
  Author = Prucek, Robert and Panacek, Ales and Fargasova, Ariana and Ranc, Vaclav
     and Masek, Vlastimil and Kvitek, Libor and Zboril, Radek,
  Title = Re-crystallization of silver nanoparticles in a highly concentrated NaCl
     environment-a new substrate for surface enhanced IR-visible Raman
     spectroscopy,
  Journal = CRYSTENGCOMM,
  Year = 2011,
  Volume = 13,
  Number = 7,
  Pages = 2242-2248,
  Abstract = The common approach of silver nanoparticles activation for surface
     enhanced Raman spectroscopy often exploits an addition of chloride ions,
     generally at low concentrations of about 0.1-10 mM in the final
     dispersion. For the first time, we report the applicability of a highly
     concentrated NaCl solution (final concentration of 400 mM) for the SERS
     activation of silver nanoparticles (similar to 30 nm). Microscopic,
     optical and particle size distribution measurements reveal the rapid and
     reproducible re-crystallization of the primary silver nanoparticles to
     one-order larger crystallites (similar to 400 nm) already after 15 min
     after NaCl addition. The crystal growth mechanism is discussed with
     respect to the proved essential role of oxygen in the reaction system.
     The specific action of chloride ions is demonstrated through a
     comparison with NaBr and NaI solutions of the identical concentrations,
     which do not induce the analogous crystallization process. The
     recrystallized silver particles are efficient in an enhancement of the
     Raman signal not only for visible (488 nm) but also for near infrared
     laser excitation (1064 nm) as illustrated with the representative
     spectra of adenine.,
  DOI = 10.1039/c0ce00776e,
  ISSN = 1466-8033,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000288562200014,
  

2010

• J. Soukupova, L. Kvitek, M. Kratochvilova, A. Panacek, R. Prucek, and R. Zboril, “Silver Voyage from Macro- to Nanoworld,” JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, vol. 87, iss. 10, pp. 1094-1097, 2010.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000281834400024,
  Author = Soukupova, Jana and Kvitek, Libor and Kratochvilova, Martina and
     Panacek, Ales and Prucek, Robert and Zboril, Radek,
  Title = Silver Voyage from Macro- to Nanoworld,
  Journal = JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION,
  Year = 2010,
  Volume = 87,
  Number = 10,
  Pages = 1094-1097,
  Month = OCT,
  DOI = 10.1021/ed1003405,
  ISSN = 0021-9584,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000281834400024,
  

2009

• A. Panacek, M. Kolar, R. Vecerova, R. Prucek, J. Soukupova, V. Krystof, P. Hamal, R. Zboril, and L. Kvitek, “Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles against Candida spp.,” BIOMATERIALS, vol. 30, iss. 31, pp. 6333-6340, 2009.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000270767300020,
  Author = Panacek, Ales and Kolar, Milan and Vecerova, Renata and Prucek, Robert
     and Soukupova, Jana and Krystof, Vladimir and Hamal, Petr and Zboril,
     Radek and Kvitek, Libor,
  Title = Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles against Candida spp.,
  Journal = BIOMATERIALS,
  Year = 2009,
  Volume = 30,
  Number = 31,
  Pages = 6333-6340,
  Month = NOV,
  Abstract = The antifungal activity of the silver nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by
     the modified Tollens process was evaluated for pathogenic Candida spp.
     by means of the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration
     (MIC), minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), and the time-dependency
     of yeasts growth inhibition. Simultaneously the cytotoxicity of the
     silver NPs to human fibroblasts was determined. The silver NPs exhibited
     inhibitory effect against the tested yeasts at the concentration as low
     as 0.21 mg/L of Ag. The inhibitory effect of silver NPs was enhanced
     through their stabilization and the lowest MIC equal to 0.05 mg/L was
     determined for silver NPs stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate against
     Candida albicans II. The obtained MICs of the silver NPs and especially
     of the stabilized silver NPs were comparable and in some cases even
     better than MICs of the conventional antifungal agents determined by
     E-test. The silver NPs effectively inhibited the growth of the tested
     yeasts at the concentrations below their cytotoxic limit against the
     tested human fibroblasts determined at a concentration equal to 30 mg/L
     of Ag. In contrast, ionic silver inhibited the growth of the tested
     yeasts at the concentrations comparable to the cytotoxic level (approx.
     1 mg/L) of ionic silver against the tested human fibroblasts. (C) 2009
     Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.,
  DOI = 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2009.07.065,
  ISSN = 0142-9612,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000270767300020,
  

• R. Prucek, M. Hermanek, and R. Zboril, “An effect of iron(III) oxides crystallinity on their catalytic
  efficiency and applicability in phenol degradation-A competition between
  homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis,” APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL, vol. 366, iss. 2, pp. 325-332, 2009.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000270644800014,
  Author = Prucek, Robert and Hermanek, Martin and Zboril, Radek,
  Title = An effect of iron(III) oxides crystallinity on their catalytic
     efficiency and applicability in phenol degradation-A competition between
     homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis,
  Journal = APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL,
  Year = 2009,
  Volume = 366,
  Number = 2,
  Pages = 325-332,
  Month = SEP 25,
  Abstract = Catalytic efficiency, stability and environmental applicability of five
     iron(III) oxide nanopowders differing in surface area and crystallinity
     were tested in degradation of concentrated phenolic aqueous solutions
     (100 g/L) at mild temperature (30 degrees C), initially almost neutral
     pH and equimolar ratio of hydrogen peroxide and phenol. The catalyst
     properties were easily controlled by varying in reaction time during
     isothermal treatment of ferrous oxalate dihydrate in air at 175 degrees
     C. Although the catalytic efficiency clearly increases with the surface
     area of the nanopowders, it is not due to the solely heterogeneous
     catalytic mechanism as would be expected. The amorphous Fe(2)O(3)
     nanopowders possessing the largest surface areas (401 m(2) g(-1), 386
     m(2) g(-1)) are the most efficient catalysts evidently due to their
     highest susceptibility to leaching in acidic environment arising as a
     consequence of phenol degradation products. Thus, these amorphous
     samples act partially as homogeneous catalysts, which was confirmed by a
     high concentration of leached Fe(III) ions in the solution (similar to
     19 ppm). The crystalline hematite (alpha-Fe(2)O(3)) samples, varying in
     surface area between 337 m(2) g(-1) and 245 m(2) g(-1), are generally
     less efficient when compared to the amorphous powders, however their
     catalytic action is almost exclusively heterogeneous as only 3 ppm of
     leached Fe(III) was found in the reaction systems catalyzed by
     nanohematite samples. A significant difference in relative contributions
     of heterogeneous and homogenous catalysis was definitely established in
     buffered reaction systems catalyzed by amorphous Fe(2)O(3) and
     nanocrystalline hematite. The nanohematite sample exhibiting the highest
     heterogeneous action was tested at decreased initial phenol
     concentration (10 g/L), which is closer to the real contents of phenol
     in waste waters, and at different hydrogen peroxide/phenol molar ratios
     to consider its environmental applicability. At the hydrogen
     peroxide/phenol ratio equal to 5, no traces of the leached iron were
     detected and the phenol conversion of 84\% was reached. Moreover, such a
     high degree of conversion is accompanied by a decrease of the chemical
     oxygen demand (COD) from the initial value of 11.23 g/L to 4.22 g/L
     after 125 min. This fact indicates that the considerable fraction of
     primary reaction products was totally degraded. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V.
     All rights reserved.,
  DOI = 10.1016/j.apcata.2009.07.019,
  ISSN = 0926-860X,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000270644800014,
  

• L. Kvitek, M. Vanickova, A. Panacek, J. Soukupova, M. Dittrich, E. Valentova, R. Prucek, M. Bancirova, D. Milde, and R. Zboril, “Initial Study on the Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (NPs) against
  Paramecium caudatum,” JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C, vol. 113, iss. 11, pp. 4296-4300, 2009.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000264111300013,
  Author = Kvitek, Libor and Vanickova, Marketa and Panacek, Ales and Soukupova,
     Jana and Dittrich, Milan and Valentova, Eva and Prucek, Robert and
     Bancirova, Martina and Milde, David and Zboril, Radek,
  Title = Initial Study on the Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (NPs) against
     Paramecium caudatum,
  Journal = JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C,
  Year = 2009,
  Volume = 113,
  Number = 11,
  Pages = 4296-4300,
  Month = MAR 19,
  Abstract = In this initial study, the toxicity effect of silver NPs against a model
     unicellular eukaryotic organism of Paramecium caudatum was studied. For
     the purpose of this study, a dialysis-based method was adapted, which
     allowed the preparation of stable aqueous dispersions of silver NPs in
     various silver concentrations that were necessary for the evaluation of
     toxicity limits of these particles. The obtained results demonstrate
     that the silver NPs do not exhibit any toxicity action against the
     tested unicellular eukaryotic organism below the concentration of 25 mg
     . L(-1) whereas ionic silver retains its toxicity even at a
     concentration of 0.4 mg . L(-1). Such a considerable difference in the
     toxicity effect of these two forms of silver has not been observed in
     the previously published study concerning bacteria (Panacek, A.; Kvitek,
     L.; Prucek, R.; Koldr, M.; Vecefova, R.; Pizurova, N.; Sharma, V. K.;
     Nevecna, T.; Zboril, R. J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 16248-16253).
     Additionally, it was proven that the surfactant/polymer modification can
     increase the toxicity of the silver NPs against the tested organism.,
  DOI = 10.1021/jp808645e,
  ISSN = 1932-7447,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000264111300013,
  

• R. Prucek, L. Kvitek, A. Panacek, L. Vancurova, J. Soukupova, D. Jancik, and R. Zboril, “Polyacrylate-assisted synthesis of stable copper nanoparticles and
  copper(I) oxide nanocubes with high catalytic efficiency,” JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY, vol. 19, iss. 44, pp. 8463-8469, 2009.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000271744600027,
  Author = Prucek, Robert and Kvitek, Libor and Panacek, Ales and Vancurova, Lenka
     and Soukupova, Jana and Jancik, Dalibor and Zboril, Radek,
  Title = Polyacrylate-assisted synthesis of stable copper nanoparticles and
     copper(I) oxide nanocubes with high catalytic efficiency,
  Journal = JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY,
  Year = 2009,
  Volume = 19,
  Number = 44,
  Pages = 8463-8469,
  Abstract = The synthesis of Cu nanoparticles (NPs) via the reduction of Cu ions
     with sodium borohydride in the presence of sodium polyacrylate is
     presented. The final Cu nanocrystals having a 14 nm diameter were
     generated via the aggregation and coalescence of the primarily formed
     ultrasmall particles (approx. 3 nm). Addition of sodium sulfite to the
     dispersions provided the protection of the Cu NPs against oxidation. On
     the other hand, the controlled aeration of the Cu NPs resulted in their
     transformation to Cu(2)O nanocubes with an average size of 18 nm. Both
     Cu NPs and Cu(2)O nanocubes can effectively catalyze reduction of
     4-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride in aqueous solution.,
  DOI = 10.1039/b913561h,
  ISSN = 0959-9428,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000271744600027,
  

2008

• L. Kvitek, A. Panacek, J. Soukupova, M. Kolar, R. Vecerova, R. Prucek, M. Holecova, and R. Zboril, “Effect of surfactants and polymers on stability and antibacterial
  activity of silver nanoparticles (NPs),” JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C, vol. 112, iss. 15, pp. 5825-5834, 2008.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000254883100021,
  Author = Kvitek, Libor and Panacek, Ales and Soukupova, Jana and Kolar, Milan and
     Vecerova, Renata and Prucek, Robert and Holecova, Mirka and Zboril,
     Radek,
  Title = Effect of surfactants and polymers on stability and antibacterial
     activity of silver nanoparticles (NPs),
  Journal = JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C,
  Year = 2008,
  Volume = 112,
  Number = 15,
  Pages = 5825-5834,
  Month = APR 17,
  Abstract = In this first systematic study, we describe the influence of various
     surfactants and polymers on aggregation stability and antibacterial
     activity of silver nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by a modified Tollens
     process. The surfactant/polymer stabilizing effect was monitored using
     the newly established method based on a titration of the aqueous
     dispersion of the silver NPs by aqueous solution of
     poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA). The aggregation process
     was evaluated by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV/vis spectra
     measurements and finally confirmed by TEM. Among all of the investigated
     modifiers, two surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate-SDS and
     polyoxyethylenesorbitane monooleate-Tween 80) and one polymer
     (polyvinylpyr-rolidone-PVP 360) exhibit superior stabilization of the
     silver NP dispersions against the process of aggregation. The
     differences in the stabilization ability of various tested substances
     are discussed with respect to their structure and possible mechanism of
     the surface interaction with the NPs. The antibacterial activity of the
     modified silver NPs was significantly enhanced especially when modified
     by SDS where the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) decreased under
     the ``magical value'' of 1 mu g(.)mL(-1). A correlation was found
     between the aggregation stability and enhanced antibacterial activity in
     the system of the silver NPs modified by SDS, Tween 80, and high
     molecular polymer PVP 360.,
  DOI = 10.1021/jp711616v,
  ISSN = 1932-7447,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000254883100021,
  

2006

• A. Panacek, L. Kvitek, R. Prucek, M. Kolar, R. Vecerova, N. Pizurova, V. K. Sharma, T. Nevecna, and R. Zboril, “Silver colloid nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and their
  antibacterial activity,” JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B, vol. 110, iss. 33, pp. 16248-16253, 2006.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000239818000019,
  Author = Panacek, Ales and Kvitek, Libor and Prucek, Robert and Kolar, Milan and
     Vecerova, Renata and Pizurova, Nadezda and Sharma, Virender K. and
     Nevecna, Tat'jana and Zboril, Radek,
  Title = Silver colloid nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and their
     antibacterial activity,
  Journal = JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B,
  Year = 2006,
  Volume = 110,
  Number = 33,
  Pages = 16248-16253,
  Month = AUG 24,
  Abstract = A one-step simple synthesis of silver colloid nanoparticles with
     controllable sizes is presented. In this synthesis, reduction of
     [Ag(NH3)(2)](+) complex cation by four saccharides was performed. Four
     saccharides were used: two monosaccharides (glucose and galactose) and
     two disaccharides (maltose and lactose). The syntheses performed at
     various ammonia concentrations (0.005-0.20 mol L-1) and pH conditions
     (11.5-13.0) produced a wide range of particle sizes (25-450 nm) with
     narrow size distributions, especially at the lowest ammonia
     concentrations. The average size, size distribution, morphology, and
     structure of particles were determined by dynamic light scattering
     (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV/Visible absorption
     spectrophotometry. The influence of the saccharide structure
     (monosacharides versus disaccharides) on the size of silver particles is
     briefly discussed. The reduction of [Ag(NH3)(2)](+) by maltose
     produced silver particles with a narrow size distribution with an
     average size of 25 nm, which showed high antimicrobial and bactericidal
     activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including
     highly multiresistant strains such as methicillin-resistant
     Staphylococcus aureus. Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles
     was found to be dependent on the size of silver particles. A very low
     concentration of silver (as low as 1.69 mu g/mL Ag) gave antibacterial
     performance.,
  DOI = 10.1021/jp063826h,
  ISSN = 1520-6106,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000239818000019,
  

2005

• L. Kvitek, R. Prucek, A. Panacek, R. Novotny, J. Hrbac, and R. Zboril, “The influence of complexing agent concentration on particle size in the
  process of SERS active silver colloid synthesis,” JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY, vol. 15, iss. 10, pp. 1099-1105, 2005.
  [Bibtex]

  @article ISI:000227320600013,
  Author = Kvitek, L and Prucek, R and Panacek, A and Novotny, R and Hrbac, J and
     Zboril, R,
  Title = The influence of complexing agent concentration on particle size in the
     process of SERS active silver colloid synthesis,
  Journal = JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY,
  Year = 2005,
  Volume = 15,
  Number = 10,
  Pages = 1099-1105,
  Abstract = A one-step chemical reduction route towards silver colloid particles
     with controllable sizes ranging from 45 to 380 nm is reported in this
     article. Silver particles, prepared by the reduction of
     [Ag(NH3)(2)](+) complex with various reducing sugars, were
     characterised by means of transmission electron microscopy ( TEM),
     dynamic light scattering ( DLS) measurement of particle size
     distribution, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The concentration of ammonia in
     the reaction mixture and the choice of the reducing sugar are the key
     parameters in the control of particle size. Synthesised silver colloid
     particles were successfully tested for use in surface-enhanced Raman
     spectroscopy (SERS) with 1-methyladenine as a testing substance.,
  DOI = 10.1039/b417007e,
  ISSN = 0959-9428,
  Unique-ID = ISI:000227320600013,