Rapid biosynthesis of irregular shaped gold nanoparticles from macerated aqueous extracellular dried clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) solution

In this paper, we stress upon rapid synthesis of irregular shape gold nanoparticles from a biological base. Treatment of macerated extracellular aqueous dried clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) solution with the aqueous gold salt solution yielded irregular shaped stable gold nanoparticles in the range of 5-100 nm. The synthesis and morphology of these gold nanoparticles are understood by UV (UV-vis spectroscopy), FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy) techniques. The formation of these bio-adsorbed gold nanoparticles is rapid as the reaction process completes within few minutes. The XRD (X-ray diffraction studies) and EDAX (energy dispersive X-ray analysis) show that the particles are crystalline in nature. This clean-green method of synthesis is performed under ambient conditions. Probable biochemical pathway of the synthesis is studied using FTIR (Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy). It is observed that the freely water soluble flavonoids of clove buds are responsible for bioreduction. The possible applications viz., catalysis, sensor, diagnostics, biomedical imaging and photo thermal therapy of these functionalized noble metal nanoparticles are envisaged. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.