Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using pink guava waste extract (PGWE)

Abstract

Bio-inspired silver nanoparticles were synthesized with the aid of a novel, non-toxic, eco-friendly biological material namely, pink guava waste extract (PGWE). The pink guava waste extract will act as the reducing agent in reduction process in order to reduce the aqueous salt solutions of the silver nitrate. Moreover, economically, this process will also lower the cost of producing metal nanoparticles compared to other methods. Boiled, separated, filtrated process was used for reducing silver nitrate. Silver nanoparticles were formed when the reaction conditions were altered with respect to ratio of extraction, pink guava waste extract content and aging time. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The colorless reaction mixtures turned brown and displayed UV - visible spectra characteristic of silver nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the role of different functional groups (carboxyl, amine and hydroxyl) in the synthetic process. After 72 h of treatment, silver nanoparticles obtained were in the range of 23-105 nm as obtained from TEM.