Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Myristica fragrans seed shell: Assessment of antibacterial, antioxidant properties and photocatalytic degradation of dyes

Abstract

In this era, the research on nanoparticles has gained higher demand and found its applications in fields like medicine, textile, waste management and industries. In this study Myristica fragrans seed shells (agricultural waste) aqueous extract is utilised for synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate. The characterisation study of synthesised nanoparticles was carried out using Small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, BET surface area analyser and field emission scanning electron microscope. UV–vis spectrophotometer analysis shows surface plasmonic resonance at 470 nm, confirming the formation of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were in the range of 10–60 nm with a surface area of 88.16 m2/g. The present study analysed antibacterial (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria) and antioxidant properties (DPPH and hydroxyl radicals) to prove the practical application of synthesised nanoparticles in the field of food processing. Best radical scavenging activity was observed at 200 μg/mL of nanoparticles. Further synthesised silver nanoparticles were used to study its feasibility in dye removal, and the results showed a better photocatalytic degradation (>90%) of rhodamine B (zwitterionic), remazol brilliant blue reactive (anionic) and methyl violet 10B (cationic) under UV light. The degradation mechanism follows the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, which implies the dye degradation is influenced by the affinity of nanoparticles towards dye and their radical action. The degradation products are analysed using UPLC-MS and identified the degradation mechanism.