Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using durian rind extract and optical characteristics of surface plasmon resonance-based optical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been efficaciously synthesized from AgNO3 via an easy and green method, also called green synthesis, using Mon Thong durian (Durio zibethinus L.) rind extract. The inner shell of durian rind extract was used as an intermediary for the synthesis of AgNPs because the absorption spectra of the AgNP colloid extracted from the inner shell had a higher absorption than that of the outer shell. Additionally, we have found more fructose and glucose – which act as a reducing agent – and protein and carbohydrates – which act as the stabilizer – in a higher amount in the inner shell than the extract from the outer shell. The synthesized AgNPs were mainly spherical in shape and exhibited a relatively narrow size distribution with an average particle diameter of 10.2 ± 0.2 nm. In the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), these nanoparticles demonstrate catalytic activity. The degradation of AgNPs, including the catalytic decomposition of H2O2, causes a considerable change in the absorbance strength of the surface plasmon resonance band depending on the H2O2 concentration. Over a broad concentration range of 10−1–10−6 mol·L−1 H2O2, a good sensitivity and a linear response are achieved. This sensor’s quantification limit is found to be 0.9 µmol·L−1 H2O2. Therefore, this optical sensor for the detection of H2O2 can be potentially applied in the determination of color indicators in medical or clinical diagnosis, biochemical analysis, and environmental applications.