Shape, size and dispersion of plant-driven silver nanoparticles for removal of methylene blue dyes

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by green biological technique utilising kyllinga brevifolia extract (KBE) as reducing agents. The KBE was also found to be a good capping as well as stabilizing agent. The size, shape and dispersion of AgNPs were evaluated and compared with the results from the literature survey. The TEM image showed that KBE-driven AgNPs have quasi-spherical shape are highly dispersed with an average particle size ∼17.64 nm. The catalytic activity of KBE-driven AgNPs on reduction of methylene blue (MB) using sodium borohydride (SB) was analysed using UV-vis spectroscopy. The MB removal was achieved 100% at pH 8-10. The efficient removal is proposed to be due to the process of reduction via electron relay effect.