Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles via green route

The development of competent green chemistry methods for synthesis of metal nanoparticles has become a main focus of researchers. In this study we report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) by reduction of silver nitrate, using leaf broth of Azadirakta indica (Neem). The plant leaf broth simultaneously acts as reducing agent as well as capping agent at 30 °C. The effect of different concentration of silver ions, percentage of leaf broth and temperature on morphology of dispersed silver nanoparticles was studied. The formation of silver nanoparticles in dispersion was monitored through the analysis of absorbance spectra by UV-Visible spectrophotometer at different stages during the process of synthesis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that silver nanoparticles were pure and monodispersed and size was ranging from 9-56 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicates prominent bands of absorbance, which are responsible for reducing of Ag+ ions and stabilization of obtained silver nanoparticles. Results confirmed this protocol as simple, rapid, cost effective, eco-friendly and alternative conventional physical/chemical methods.