Ecofriendly synthesis of stabilized silver nanoparticles and the evaluation of their potential applications

Abstract

Herein, we report a simple and rapid microwave-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Phoenix Dactylifera L petiole wood extract (PDLPE) with a dual role as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Various reaction parameters such as microwave irradiation time, wood extract concentration, and pH were investigated. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV visible, and infrared spectroscopy measurements confirm the successful reduction of Ag+ to AgNPs with a size ranging from of 10–40 ​nm and without any undesirable product. Furthermore, the catalytic and antibacterial activities of AgNPs have been tested and the obtained results proved excellent catalytic properties for the degradation of dyes, such as Methylene Blue and Methylene Orange in the presence of NaBH4. In addition, we have found that AgNPs exhibit high antibacterial activity against five different strains of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, staphylococcus aureus, micrococcus luteus, and pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of 39.06 ± 0.02 µ/ml were recorded for Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and micrococcus luteus. However, 78.12 ± 0.02 µ/ml were recorded in the case of staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore we have demonstrated that the MIC values are equal to minimal bactericidal concentration.

Keywords

• Phoenix Dactylifera L. (date palm) extract
• Silver nanoparticles
• Catalytic properties
• Antimicrobial activity