Tapping the unexploited plant resources for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Development of biologically inspired experimental processes for the synthesis of nanoparticles is evolving into an important branch of nanotechnology. The bioreduction behaviour of various plant leaf extracts such as Helianthus annus (Asteraceae), Basella alba (Basellaceae), Oryza sativa, Saccharum officinarum, Sorghum bicolour and Zea mays (Poaceae) in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles was investigated employing UV/Visible spectrophotometry, XRD (X-ray diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). H. annus was found to exhibit strong potential for rapid reduction of silver ions. It was observed that there is no correlation always between the colour development and the increase in absorbance exhibited by the nanometal synthesised. The work adds to the confirmation of previous reports on biosynthesis of nanometals using plant leaf extracts.