Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Their Optical and Rheological Properties

Abstract

The goal of this work was to investigate the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from aqueous Propolis (P) extract, and their optical and rheological properties. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies nanostructure of the prepared Ag NPs were characterized. Further, the aforementioned study suggests that Ag NPs with an average size of around 23 nm have a well-developed polycrystalline cubic structure. In the UV-Vis absorption spectra, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak showed maximum absorption at 418 nm. For an excitation energy corresponding to the wavelength 410 nm, photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Ag NPs exhibited emission peak at 495 nm. To explore temperature (T) dependent flow behaviour of biosynthesized colloidal Ag NPs dispersion in deionized (DI) water, flow curve studies under shear for T= 20, 30 and 40 °C were done using rheometer. The above study illustrated that the colloidal Ag NPs follows shear thickening non-Newtonian behaviour. Moreover, viscosity decreased as temperature increased, indicating that the silver nanofluids can exhibit more rational thermal performance under high temperature conditions.