Enhanced photocatalysis, photoluminescence, and anti-bacterial activities of nanosize Ag: green synthesized via Rauvolfia tetraphylla (devil pepper)

In the current study, we have built up a novel, green approach technique for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from Rauvolfia tetraphylla leaves extract.The synthesized nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized using different analytical techniques like X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope analysis. It is confirmed as a cubic phase with average particle size about 40 nm with a spherical shape. Further, the characterized material was inspected for the photocatalytic degradation of most common environmental pollutants (carcinogenic organic dyes) like Methylene blue (M.B), Rhodamine B (Rh. B) and Rose bengal (R.B) with degradation efficiency of 81, 55 and 80% respectively. In addition, it was examined by optical property (photoluminescence) with blue emission by the excitation at 370 to 400 nm, which is useful for blue LEDs (light emitting diode). Furthermore, it also shows the superior anti-bacterial activity against gram-positive bacterias such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes and gram-negative bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Ag NPs synthesized using Rauvolfia tetraphylla leaf extract exhibited a good photocatalytic and antibacterial activity. Hence, it's a first to report the synthesis of Ag NPs using natural reducing agent Rauvolfia tetraphylla leaf extract for Luminescence and Dye degradation applications. [GRAPHICS] .