Fabrication and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Delonix elata leaf broth

The synthesis of nanoparticles from plant sources has proved to be an effective and alternative method for the novel production of nanoparticles. This paper reports the bioreduction of silver nitrate into silver nanoparticle by the leaf extract of Delonix elata. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). In addition the size of the NPs was calculated by using Malvern Zetasizer and the stability by zeta potential. UV-vis spectra show the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 432 nm. This reveals the reduction of silver ions (Ag+) into silver (Ag-o) and indicating the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). SEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of the particles with sizes in the range of 35-45 nm and EDS spectrum confirmed the presence of silver along with other elements in the plant metabolite. The XRD analysis showed that the AgNPs are crystalline in nature and have face-centered cubic structure. FT-IR spectra show the existence of biomolecules responsible for the reduction of silver nitrate. The size of the AgNPs estimated from particle size distribution curve shows the 70 nm. The zeta potential of AgNPs was found to be -18 mV, indicating the dispersion and stability. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.