Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial studies of bio silica nanoparticles prepared from Cynodon dactylon L.: a green approach

Abstract

The present study reports on a green approach method for synthesis of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) from Cynodon dactylon. These SiNPs were characterized by using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and evaluated its growth inhibitory efficacy against different microorganisms. These SiNPs showed a colour change pattern upon synthesis and indicated a broad peak at 350 nm when analysed by UV–Vis spectrophotometer. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of Si content, and the appearance of phytochemicals such as primary amines of proteins, phenols were mainly responsible for capping and stabilization of SiNPs. DLS and Zeta potential studies revealed average size of 62.1 nm and −23.3 mV zeta potential value of nanoparticles. An XRD study showed a broad peak at 22 $$^{\circ }$$ of $$2\theta $$ value and confirmed that the nanoparticles were amorphous in nature with 60 nm average size of particles. Higher magnification studies with SEM and TEM analysis revealed that the particles were poly-dispersed, spherical in shape and have the size range from 7 to 80 nm without any agglomeration among the particles. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed a 52.84 weight percentage of silica content in the sample, which indicates towering purity of the sample. The obtained nanoparticles were tested for growth inhibitory activity on different microbial pathogens, resulting in potential inhibitory activity. This study concluded that the plant C. dactylon was an excellent and reliable green source for production of potential bio antimicrobial SiNPs.