From waste to a value added product: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from onion peels together with its diverse applications

Nanotechnology has gained considerable attention in the present century due to its peculiar properties make it as an effective candidate in multidisciplinary fields with numerous applications. Nanoparticles displays characteristic chemical and physical properties like stability, high thermal and electrical conductivity, optical properties and catalytic activity. These made them promising material for applications in different fields like space applications, industry, photo imaging, photo thermal therapy, cosmetics and medical applications, nano sensors for the detection of biomolecules and several environmental parameters, drug delivery, anti-microbial, anti-pathogens and mosquiticidal uses. The article focuses on the preparing of silver nanoparticles through a greener strategy from a substrate onion peel, which is a domestic waste. The particles synthesized were characterized using UV-Vis Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction. Furthermore, the particles were tested for its antimicrobial activity against two strains of microorganisms. The development of biosensor for environmental contaminants such as heavy metals were also approached. The green pathway we followed are sustainable, environmentally benign, simple, cost-effective and does not produce any harmful byproducts. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Advances in Materials and Manufacturing Applications. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

Nanotechnology has attracted attention for its unique properties across various applications. Silver nanoparticles were successfully prepared from onion peel waste, characterized, and tested for antimicrobial activity. Additionally, biosensors for environmental contaminants were developed using a green and sustainable approach.