Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles

The green synthesis of nanoparticles is considered as a nontoxic, clean and eco-friendly method compared to other chemical and physical methods [1]. Various types of metal nanoparticles such as silver, copper, gold, zinc, titanium, magnetite and nickel are synthesized using parts of the plants. Ag NPs have many applications in biomedicine, catalysis, energy, materials, etc [2]. In this study, silver nanoparticles were prepared with green synthetic methods using aqueous extract of galls of Quercus infectoria (Q. infectoria) as a reducing, capping and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized Ag NPs were characterized using various techniques. UV–visible spectrum of silver nanoparticle solution showed two absorption peak at 220 and 310 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that Ag NPs have spherical in shape with an average particle size of 33 nm. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) confirm that the synthesized AgNPs are in spherical structures and the particles have sizes of 16-38 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the Ag nanoparticles size that calculated using Scherrer equation is 18 nm. The spectra data show the five diffraction lines (111), (200), (220), (311), and (222), which are according with the standard pattern. This is a simple, reliable and clean procedure which could promote green industrial production of Ag NPs. Green synthesis provides an eco-friendly route for the synthesis of safe nanoparticles