Green Nanotechnology: How Plants Can Help Synthesise Nanoparticles for Biomedical and Environmental Purposes

Abstract

Nanoscale materials known as nanoparticles exhibit distinctive properties and functionalities owing to their minute size and expansive surface area. Employing plant extracts for nanoparticle synthesis represents an environmentally conscious and sustainable method that utilises natural resources as both reducing and capping agents. This comprehensive review presents the current state-of-the-art in the green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant extracts. It specifically explores the interplay between phytochemicals and metal ions, highlighting the impact of phytochemicals on various nanoparticle properties such as size, shape, morphology, crystal structure, elemental composition, surface charge and optical characteristics. The applications of these nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles etc. span diverse fields, including biomedical, environmental, catalytic, optical, electrical and magnetic applications. The review also addresses challenges and future directions in this burgeoning field, emphasising the necessity for standardisation and optimisation of synthesis parameters, elucidation of the synthesis mechanism and kinetics and exploration of functionalisation and potential applications. In conclusion, the green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant extracts emerges as a promising and evolving field with considerable potential for future research and development.