Combretum indicum leaf extract-mediated silver nanoparticles: characterization, catalytic and antioxidant properties

Recent surges in fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs) have motivated researchers to find an eco-friendly method to reduce metal precursors into nanoparticles. In this work, Combretum indicum leaf extract was used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (CI-AgNPs) because it is a readily accessible, affordable, sustainable resource and less exploited for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Physicochemical characterization of the CI-AgNPs such as (optical, vibrational, and compositional properties) was performed by UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy while size/morphology, crystallinity, and colloidal properties were determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and dynamic light scattering, respectively. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were spherical in shape and in size range 12-33 nm. The study highlighted the catalytic effectiveness of CI-AgNPs in degradation of amido black 10B (AB10B) aqueous dye solution. The kinetics of the degradation depends on the catalytic dosage of CI-AgNPs and pH of the reaction medium. The kinetic curves showed excellent catalytic activity to AB10B dye degradation reaction, 89.1% of the dye degraded (after 5 min) when 50 mu L of nanocatalyst used. Also, the degradation increased (about 97.5% after 4 min) by altering the pH to acidic. The reaction kinetics followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a good rate constant of 0.889 min(-1). Additionally, CI-AgNPs exhibited excellent antioxidant activity in terms of 2,2-dipehnyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. These activities are superior to other reported nanomaterials based on Ag systems, indicating the potential and enticing application prospects of CI-AgNPs.