Synthesis, characterisation and photocatalytic activity of silver nanoparticles stabilised by Punica granatum seeds extract

ABSTRACT

Organic dyes are mostly used in textile, paper, cosmetic, pharmaceutical industries etc., as colouring agents and being disposed in the environment that makes serious health issues. Therefore, this study has focused to the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using AgNO₃ and Punica granatum seeds extract as reducing/capping agent. The plasmonic absorption of obtained silver nanoparticles were observed at 440 nm which assured Ag NPs. Further, the crystalline nature and FCC (face centered cubic) pattern of Ag NPs was confirmed by XRD analysis. The spherical morphology with size 10 to 35 nm of Ag NPs were determined through HRTEM (high resolution transmission electron microscopy) analysis. These Ag NPs have been used as green catalyst to facilitate the reduction of organic pollutants/dye such as 4-nitrophenol and methyl orange in the presence of aq.NaBH₄. This method is considered as eco-friendly and energy efficient for the environmental remediation under the concept of green chemistry.

KEYWORDS:

• Green synthesis
• Punica granatum
• silver nanoparticles
• catalytic reduction
• 4-nitrophenol
• methyl orange

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. A. Siva, Dept. of Inorganic Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India for his constant encouragement and moral support. HRTEM facility provided by the National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Madras, Chennai – 25, India is gratefully acknowledged. We also thank the Head, Department of Physics, MSU, Tirunelveli to supported the XRD analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.