Optimization of the Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and their Application in the Degradation of Dyes

Abstract

Using plant extracts for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is being recognized as a promising and environmentally sustainable approach. Plant extracts in producing AgNPs obviate cell culture maintenance and allow scalability in a non-aseptic setting. This work aims to identify the categories of phytochemicals and to conduct the biosynthesis and characterization of AgNPs utilizing extracts from the leaves and stems of Clinacanthus nutans. The present work involved the synthesis of AgNPs using aqueous extracts derived from the leaves (L) and stems (S) of C. nutans. This synthesis approach was chosen due to its non-toxic nature, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally favorable characteristics. The Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) examination revealed the presence of silver nanoparticles, denoted as AgNP-L and AgNP-S, which exhibited size ranges of 20 to 200 nm and 25 to 250 nm, respectively. The average sizes of AgNP-L and AgNP-S were determined to be 99.38 nm and 68.47 nm, respectively. The AgNP has shown remarkable degrading efficiency towards commercial dyes, namely Nile Blue (NB), with a removal rate of 94% within 110 minutes, and Reactive Yellow 160 (RY160), with a removal rate of 82% within 110 minutes. The extract derived from the Clinacanthus nutans exhibited considerably elevated concentrations of biologically active chemicals (Flavonoid and Phenolic). The utilization of biogenic AgNPs presents a significant prospect for the remediation of water resources polluted with industrial dye, owing to their notable reusability, photocatalytic effectiveness, and compatibility with environmentally friendly synthesis methods.