Synthesis of Zero Valent Silver Nanoparticles by Chemical Reduction Method and its Application

Abstract

Chemical synthesis is one of the commonly used method for nanoparticles synthesis. Different chemicals acts as reducing agents which converts chemical precursor into its nano form. There are various chemical methods for the synthesis of zero valent silver nanoparticles. The silver nitrate is commonly used as precursor, sodium borohydride acts as reducing agent while sodium dodecyl sulphate stabilizes the formation of nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles was characterized by UV- visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) X- ray diffraction technique (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The silver nanoparticles showed characteristic peak at 431nm. The different functional groups attached to it were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. In X ray diffraction analysis of nanoparticles, it showed highest peak at (111) crystal plane with 2 θ value 34.00. The hexagonal structure of silver nanoparticles was determined by SEM analysis. The zero valent silver nanoparticles synthesized by chemical reduction method have antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. It showed 18 mm and 21 mm zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus micro-organism respectively. The dye degradation ability of silver nanoparticles was tested against organic dyes. The synthesized nanoparticles effectively degrade methylene blue dye within 24 hours. Thus, chemically synthesized zero valent silver nanoparticles were effectively utilized for biomedical and environmental applications.