Green Nanotechnology: Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Leaf Extract of Swertia chirayita

Abstract

In the present study the synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by aqueous leaf extracts of Swertia chirayita is reported. Nanoparticles are particles having diameters below 100 nm. The nanoparticles formed were characterized using Uv-Vis spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope, Ft-IR and light scattering & Zeta potential analysis. A Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak was observed at 450 nm in Uv-Vis analysis. SEM analysis showed that the particles were spherical and cuboidal in shape and had diameter from 85-120 nm. The FT-IR analysis spectra peak were observed at 3,610.74 cm^-1, 3,089.96 cm^-1, 2,125.56 cm^-1, 166.50 cm^-1 and 864.11 cm^-1, which corresponds to the presence of capping agents such as primary and secondary amines, hydroxyl compounds, flavonoids, alcoholic and phenolic compounds. The results of light scattering analysis also confirmed the formation of nanoscale particles. The zeta potential analysis showed a peak of -25 mV which demarcates the stability of the synthesized nanoparticles.