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ABSTRACT
In this paper, we have reported the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using silver nitrate and Ficus carica (fig) stem extract at room temperature. We have also explored the effect of volume of extract (1–3 ml) on the formation of AgNPs using various analytical techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The formations of AgNPs were monitored by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer as well as from color change through the naked eye. The absorption peaks appear between 442 and 455 nm, confirming to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of AgNPs. It is clear from the FTIR results that the biologically active compounds present in the extract act as capping and reducing agents for AgNPs creation. Electron microscopy results show that by increasing the concentration of extract, the morphology and size of AgNPs changed due to the presence of more phenolic group. The green synthesized AgNPs have been sequentially employed for the selective and sensitive detection of toxic metal ion (Hg2+) in aqueous medium and antimicrobial activity against all tested microbes including five gram negative and two gram positive. Furthermore, the brown color of green synthesized AgNPs turned into colorless with Hg2+ ion by naked eye response and the limit of detection was 1.06 µM.
Figure (A) represents the UV–visible spectra of AgNPs with different concentrations of Hg2+ (0.1–10 µM) in aqueous solution and inset shows the variation of the absorbance of AgNPs solution as a function of Hg2+ ion concentration.
Figure (B) represents the images of color variations of AgNPs with different concentrations of Hg2+ (10−1–10−7 M) in aqueous solution.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments
We are thankful to the Head of Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, for providing facilities to carry out the research work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Dr. Abul Kalam received his PhD degree from Allahabad Central University, India in 2003. Since 2009, he is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. His current research interest covers the synthesis of nano materials by chemicals and green method and its application as sensing, dye sensitized solar cell, optical band gap engineering, waste water treatment and catalysis.
Dr. Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi received his PhD degree from University of Leicester, UK in 2001. He is currently Member of the Saudi Consultative Council. He was the Dean of Scientific Research and director of RCAMS. He is an author of over 250 publications, co-inventor of several patents and the editor of 6 books. He is full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia since 2011. His research interest includes energy, gas sensor, biosensor, optical band gap engineering, synthesis, characterization of organic, composite and nanocomposite materials.
Dr. Sulaiman Alrumman received his PhD from University of Aberdeen, UK in 2011. Presently, he is Dean of College of Science at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. He is Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, King Khalid University since 2016. His research interest covers:
Microbiological Analysis and Bioremediation of Soil and Contaminated Water.
Biodiversity of Microbes and Methods of Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria, Yeasts and Fungi.
Evaluation of the Quality of Environmental Media using Microbial Indicators.
Studying the Biological Activities of Medicinal Plants.
Field and Survey Studies of Birds.
Dr. Mohammed Assiri is Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA since 2017. He received his PhD degree from University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA in 2016. His research interests in green chemistry, sensing and capturing of toxic materials.
Dr. Mahmoud Fawzy Mahmoud Moustafa is a Professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA. He received a B.S. from Assuit University in 1991, and his M.S. from South Valley University, Egypt in 1996 in the field of Plant Taxonomy. He received his Ph. D. in higher plants molecular cell biology, September 2004, Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Dept. Bio-Resources, College of Agricultural Sciences, Japan. His research interests in plant taxonomy, plant biotechnology, weeds Flora, weeds biological activities and medicinal plants. He published many publications in high ranked journals about 44 papers as well as he attended many international conferences all over the world. He supervised many master and Ph. D. students.
Dr. Pankaj Yadav is an Assistant Professor at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), Gujarat, India. Prior to joining PDPU, he worked as a Swiss Excellence fellow with Prof. Michael Gratezel at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Yadav is a recipient of many prestigious awards including Fulbright fellowship, Swiss Excellence fellowship, overseas postdoctoral fellowship, etc.At PDPU, Dr. Pankaj is exploring the fundamentals and applications of different materials for various energy harvesting and storage devices. His current research interests ranges from thin film devices, solar photovoltaic, perovskite solar cells, hydrogen generation, fuel cells, sensor, energy generation and storage devices, and electroanalytical characterizations.
Dr. Mehboobali Pannipara received his PhD from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia in 2014. Currently, he work as Assistant Professor of the Chemistry Department at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia since September 2015. His research interest covers developing new synthetic methods for the synthesis of novel stimuli responsive molecular materials, synthesis of novel fluorescent materials and its application for as sensor and NL.