ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Characterization of Ag nanoparticles synthesized from Caesalpinia pulcherrima flower, Nervilia aragoana leaf, and Manihot esculenta peel extracts: antibacterial, antifungal, and photocatalytic properties

V. Helen Rathi and Ambrose Rejo Jeice

Department of Physics and Research Centre, Annai Velankanni College, Tholayavattam, Kanyakumari District, India

E-mail: rejojeice@gmail.com

Received: 17 July 2023  Accepted: 6 November 2023

Abstract:

Ag nanoparticles were developed using plant extracts from the various plant species, including the flowers, leaves, and peels. UV–visible spectroscopy with a wavelength range of 400–450 nm was used to confirm the surface Plasmon resonance absorption and Ag⁰ reduction of the synthesized Ag nanoparticles. Using the XRD technique, the cubic structure of Ag nanoparticles and their refined crystallinity were examined. According to SEM and TEM analysis, leaf and peel extracts produced spherical and semi-spherical Ag nanoparticles, while flower extract biomolecules produced rod-like Ag nanoparticles. FTIR and EDX spectroscopy were used to confirm the presence of plant extract bio-compounds, Ag metal reduction, and interaction with response materials. For flower extract 94%, 82% for leaf extract, and 79% for peel extract, photocatalytic degradation of MB dye was achieved, respectively. With rates of 0.01478 min⁻¹ for flower extract, 0.013245 min⁻¹ for leaf extract, and 0.012895 min⁻¹ for peel extract, the degradation rate followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics. Ag nanoparticles' antimicrobial effectiveness against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans has also been proven. S. aureus and C. albicans showed the highest antimicrobial sensitivity to green-synthesized Ag nanoparticles. As a result, this study suggests that compared to other nano-phase materials, Ag nanoparticles produced through green synthesis method and pronounced the noxious free and improved activities in biological as well as wastewater treatment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Surface Plasmon resonance; Absorption; Ag nanoparticles; Noble metals; Photocatalysis; Antimicrobial

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-023-03202-7

Chemical Papers 78 (3) 1745–1759 (2024)