Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant phytochemicals and their potential applications

Abstract

Various plant extract rich in phytochemicals have been utilized for the one step synthesis of metal nanoparticles at room temperature. The phytochemicals especially polyphenolic compounds are highly efficient to reduce metal ions and also stabilize them in nanometric dimension. Interestingly, no other stabilizing agent is necessary for such synthesis. The metal nanoparticles especially gold and silver using plants (plant tissue, plant extracts and living plant) has gained much interest in recent years because of their applications in pharmaceuticals, optoelectronic devices, drug delivery into cell and catalysis etc. In this review, I have addressed the one step facile synthesis of metal nanoparticles using different plant extracts, various methods of characterization and applications of metal nanoparticles.