Effect of Precursor Salt Solution Concentration on the Size of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Aqueous Leaf Extracts of T. catappa and T. grandis Linn f.—A Green Synthesis Route

Abstract

Green route of nanoparticle synthesis has been steering research in the field of Nanobiotechnology of late, as it is known to be safer, cleaner, effective and environmentally benign in comparison to chemical and physical methods of synthesis. Plants are known to possess huge paraphernalia of bioactive phytocompounds that mediate the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. In the quest of green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, plant parts having commercial and food value have been utilized as sources. The aqueous leaves of Terminalia catappa (Indian almond tree) and T. grandis Linn f (Teak tree) are used in the present study in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, as these resources of bioactive phytocompounds are effectual in biosynthesis of nanoparticles, abundantly available as an agrowaste and inexpensive. Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was successfully carried out using the aqueous leaf extracts of Terminalia catappa (Indian almond tree) and T. grandis Linn f (Teak tree). The effect of the precursor salt solution concentration upon the morphology and size of the silver nanoparticles being synthesized by the aqueous leaf extracts of Terminalia catappa and T. grandis Linn f was studied. Studying the effect of precursor salt concentration upon the size of nanoparticles shall enable the maneuvering of synthesis parameter to obtain nanoparticles of desired dimensions. This route of biosynthesis was found to be cost effective, offered easy downstream processing with low chemical footprint and is reliable and can be used for large scale synthesis of silver nanoparticles.