MICROWAVE-ASSISTED GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING PASSION FRUIT PEEL EXTRACT FOR CATALYTIC REDUCTION OF ORGANIC DYES

Abstract

Microwave-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated using passion fruit peel (PF) extract as a stabilizer and reductant. In synthesis process, the effect of several synthetic factors such as pH, silver nitrate concentration and microwave irradiation time were studied. The obtained AgNPs were well characterized by several analytical techniques including UV-vis, FTIR, XRD, TEM and zeta-potential. The presence of strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak around 400-410 nm indicated the formation of AgNPs. FTIR analysis revealed the biomolecules present in the PF extract was responsible for the reduction of silver ions and stabilization of formed AgNPs. The TEM images presented that the formed AgNPs were dispersed, nearly spherical shape and with average diameter of 12±3 nm. The powder XRD patterns of AgNPs revealed the face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. The catalytic activity of AgNPs was evaluated by NaBH4 mediated reduction of Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB) and the kinetic analysis revealed pseudo-first-order nature of these reactions.