Abstract
Herein, Tilia sp. bract leachate was used as the reducing agent for Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) phytosynthesis. The colloidal properties of the prepared Au NPs were determined to confirm their stability over time, and the NPs were then used as active catalysts in soman nerve agent degradation. The Au NPs characterisation, reproducibility and stability studies were performed under transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and with ζ-potential measurements. The reaction kinetics was detected by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detector and solid-phase micro-extraction to confirm the Au NPs applicability in soman hydrolysis. The ‘green’ phytosynthetic formation of colloidal crystalline Au NPs with dominant quasi-spherical shape and 55 ± 10 nm diameter was successfully achieved, and there were no significant differences in morphology, ζ-potential or absorbance values observed during the 5-week period. This verified the prepared colloids’ long-term stability. The soman nerve agent was degraded to non-toxic substances within 24 h, with 0.2156 h−1 reaction rate constant. These results confirmed bio-nanotechnology’s great potential in preparation of stable and functional nanocatalysts for degradation of hazardous substances, including chemical warfare agents.
Highlights
Tilia sp. bract leachate was used as the reducing agent for Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) phytosynthesis
Some toxicology studies show that pinacolylmethylphosphonic acid (PMPA) is formed as an intermediate substrate and that the methylphosphonic acid (MPA) usually formed as a final degradation product of soman hydrolysis is considered non-toxic[2]
The nanogold batch phytosynthesis in all Au1-Au5 samples indicates the linden bracts leachate reducing potential, where the Au(III) ions are reduced to A u0 by phytochemicals present in the leachate[11]
Summary
Tilia sp. bract leachate was used as the reducing agent for Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) phytosynthesis. The ‘green’ phytosynthetic formation of colloidal crystalline Au NPs with dominant quasi-spherical shape and 55 ± 10 nm diameter was successfully achieved, and there were no significant differences in morphology, ζ-potential or absorbance values observed during the 5-week period This verified the prepared colloids’ long-term stability. The Soman (O-Pinacolyl methyl-phosphonofluoridate) examined in this article is a CWA with extreme toxicity for biota This organophosphate is a nerve agent (NA) which compromises the normal nervous system functioning by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase catalytic breakdown of acetylcholine and other choline ester neurotransmitters[1,2]. Several studies have focused on the degradation of CWAs and their simulants using different kinds of NPs. The Fe, Zn and Al metal nano-dispersed oxides or oxo-hydroxides have been prepared by homogeneous hydrolysis of sulphates, nitrates and chlorides and tested for their ability to convert nerve-agents to non-toxic products at 25 °C3. This phytosynthetic method uses soluble plant substances such as alkaloids or simple phenolic compounds which possess both reduction and stabilisation e ffects[17,18]
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