Phyto-synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Mentha sylvestris: An eco-friendly and cost effective approach

Abstract

Nanoparticle synthesis is gaining tremendous attention of researcher now a days. Due to high energy requirements and environmental risks associated with physical and chemical techniques, the utilization of plant sources has become imperative for the fabrication of nanoparticles. In this study, we report the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) fabricating potential of aqueous leaf extract of Mentha sylvestris without any additional caping or stabilizing agent in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner. The bio-reduction of AgNPs was indicated by color change of silver nitrate solution. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX)and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. UV-visible spectral analysis revealed absorption peak at 453 nm for AgNPs. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) determined the reduction rate of ionic silver in solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the average crystalline size. AgNPs ranged in size from16.2-56.4 nm with average size of 33.38 nm. SEM analysis showed the morphology of AgNPs which is found to be spherical, rectangular to variable shapes. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis evidenced the presence of elemental silver hence further confirmed green synthesis. Present study concludes that M. sylvestris species have great potential to bio-fabricate AgNPs in rapid and facetious way.

Keywords

• phyto-synthesis, mentha sylvestris, silver nanoparticles, uv-visible spectrometry, faas,