Silver Nanoparticles Green Synthesis by using Silver Nitrate and American Holly Leaves via Biological Method

Silver Nanoparticles Green Synthesis by using Silver Nitrate and American Holly Leaves via Biological Method

1. CHECK LIST

   Silver Nitrate, Fresh leaves of American Holly (Ilex opaca), Deionized Water, RB Flask, Dropper, Magnetic Stirrer with Temperature option, FIlter Paper

   

2. STEP 1.

   Take fresh leaves of American Holly. Wash properly, remove the midrib, and cut them into small pieces.

   

3. STEP 2.

   Take 5g leaves pieces in 50ml of deionized water and boil the leaves around 80ºC for 20 minutes.

   

4. STEP 3.

   When the water turns GREEN, stop the temperature and take out round bottom flask from the hot plate.

   

5. STEP 4.

   Filter out this GREEN color extract using a filter paper. This extract will be used as reducing and capping agent for Nanoparticles synthesis.

   

6. STEP 5.

   Take 100mg Silver Nitrate salt in 100ml deionized water; and set the temperature 60ºC.

   (NOTE: Silver Nitrate degrades in Silver Oxide (Black color) in light, so wrap flask with aluminium foil to avoide this.)

   

7. STEP 6.

   Add 5ml leaf extract drop wise slowly (prepared in step 4) into Silver Nitrate solution, until the color changes (around 20-30 minutes) to light YELLOW.

   

8. RESULTS

   The light Yellow color indicated the formation of Silver Nanoparticles in water. UV-Vis spectroscopy absorption peak would be obtained around 420nm.

   

9. Factors Affecting Synthesis

   Species of Plant/Tree: Different types of Plants/Trees are having different types of chemical composition and concentration of specific chemical in its leaves. So different species of Plants/Trees can give the different particle size, size distribution. Even morphology can also be changed by using leaf extract of different plants/trees.
   Concentration of Silver Nitrate: Silver Nitrate is used as the precursor in this synthesis. Higher the concentration of Silver Nitrate, more the chances of agglomeration; further leads to bulky size particles.
   Concentration of Leaves in Water: Concentration of leaves in water is very important for Nanoparticles synthesis. Higher concentration of leaves in water, leads to higher concentration of reducing and capping agent in water.
   Temperature: The temperature is another important factor in the synthesis of Nanoparticles, change in temperature leads to change in the particles size; also higher temperature leads to faster chemical Kinetics.

10. NOTE: All the experiments should be done under the guidance of lab Incharge; and proper lab safety instructions.