Abstract
Lignin is a natural biopolymer. A vibrant and rapid process in the synthesis of silica nanoparticles by consuming the lignin as a soft template was carefully studied. The extracted biopolymer from coir pith was employed as capping and stabilizing agents to fabricate the silica nanoparticles (nSi). The synthesized silica nanoparticles (nSi) were characterized by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). All the results obtained jointly and independently verified the formation of silica nanoparticles. In addition, EDAX analysis confirmed the high purity of the nSi composed only of Si and O, with no other impurities. XRD spectroscopy showed the characteristic diffraction peaks for nSi and confirmed the formation of an amorphous nature. The average size of nSi obtained is 18 nm. The surface charge and stability of nSi were analyzed by using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) and thus revealed that the nSi samples have a negative charge (−20.3 mV). In addition, the seed germination and the shoot and root formation on Vigna unguiculata were investigated by using the nSi. The results revealed that the application of nSi enhanced the germination in V. unguiculata. However, further research studies must be performed in order to determine the toxic effect of biogenic nSi before mass production and use of agricultural applications.
Highlights
There is a broad consensus that the nanoparticle is a material with at least one dimension less than 100 nm
At the end of the 20th century, nanotechnology was perceived as the game-changer [2]
Raw coir pith was obtained from the coir-processing industry
Summary
There is a broad consensus that the nanoparticle is a material with at least one dimension less than 100 nm. Nanoparticles can be distinguished into nanopowders, nanoclusters, nanocrystals and many other groups which can be further subdivided [1]. Based on the laboratory experiments, as more and more nanomaterials of different compositions, sizes and shapes became available [3], dramatic changes were predicted to improve human lives [4]. Nanomaterials showed varied optical, catalytic, magnetic and other chemical–. Physical characteristics, including distinct biological properties, such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities [5]. Most of these excellent properties have been repeatedly
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