Abstract

The present study reports one step green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Gymnema sylvestre aqueous extract at room temperature and their usage in the photodegradation of methyl orange dye. The silver nanoparticles are synthesized using an aqueous extract of stem and root of Gymnema sylvestre. UV-Visible spectral analysis showed absorbance peak at 430 nm with special reference to the excitation of surfaces plasmon vibration by silver nanoparticles. FT-IR analysis of nanoparticles reveals the presence of molecular functional groups such as amides, phenolic compounds, and carboxylic acid. These phytochemicals act capping and stabilizing agents for silver nanoparticles. EDAX elemental analysis shows the presence of silver as the main element in synthesized nanoparticles. The average crystalline size of silver nanoparticles was found to be 25.3 nm and 9.97 nm for Stem-AgNPs and Root-AgNPs respectively by Scherer formula. XRD patterns also suggest the occurrence of crystalline silver ions. Further, photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was measured spectrophotometrically by using silver nanoparticles as nanocatalyst under solar light effect. The results revealed that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using G. sylvestyre was found to be notable in degrading methyl orange dye under the influence of sunlight.

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