Study on synthesizing silver nanoparticles by using <i>Muntingia calabura</i> leaf extract: Insights from experimental and theoretical studies
Truong Tan Trung, Ngo Van Cuong, Le Thi Thu Hong, Nguyễn Thị Như Quỳnh, Cao Van Du
Abstract
Abstract In this paper, a novel approach for green chemistry was employed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extracts of Muntingia calabura ( M . calabura ). Characterization of AgNPs such as the shape, size, morphology, and stability was made using Ultraviolet‐Visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed a surface plasmon band around 427 nm when analyzed via UV‐Vis spectroscopy, indicated the silver particles of nano dimensions. The TEM study revealed that spherical shapes sizing from 6 to 16 nm with the average size was 11±5 nm were observed for the obtained sample. The density functional theory (DFT) studies reveal that the quercetin (one of the flavonoids presented in M. calabura ) is responsible for behaving as a reducing agent for the reduction of Ag + ion into Ag 0 under different physicochemical conditions.