Tailored morphology, absorption and bactericidal traits of cinnamon nanocrystallites made via PLAL method: Role of altering laser fluence and solvent

Abstract

The organic nanostructures with custom-made properties became increasingly demanding for sundry biological applications. In this insight, some cinnamon nanocrystallites (Cin-NCs) were produced via the pulse laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) approach in different growth solvents (ethanol, methanol and deionized water) at various laser fluences (0–3.2 J.cm-2). These as-prepared Cin-NCs were characterized to determine the synergistic properties of the solvents and laser fluences (LFs) on their structures, morphologies, optical absorption and anti-bacterial characteristics. A Q-switched Nd:YAG-1064 nm operated with pulse laser interval of 10 ns and laser frequency of 1 Hz was employed to hit the pure cinnamon target submerged in the desired solvents. The bactericidal effectiveness of the prepared Cin-NCs was tested against Gram-negative and -positive bacterial cultures. The ultraviolent visible spectra of the Cin-NCs displayed two prominent absorption bands and the FTIR spectra showed characteristic bonding vibrations due to different functional groups and bioactive components. The TEM micrograph of the best sample (ablated at the LF of 2.1 J/cm2) manifested the nucleation of Cin-NCs with diverse morphologies. The comparative evaluation of these Cin-NCs produced in different solvents at optimal LF via the PLAL technique was made. Compared to other liquid media, the Cin-NCs made in ethanol exhibited better yield, nanocrystallinity, morphology, absorbance, and bactericidal attributes. It was proven that the physical and anti-bacterial properties of these Cin-NCs can be customized by changing the LFs and types of solvents. The proposed Cin-NCs enclosing active cinnamaldehyde and polyphenols complexes revealed their potency for biomedicine.