A Facile plant mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using an aqueous leaf extract of Ficus hispida Linn. f. for catalytic, antioxidant and antibacterial applications

Abstract

An aqueous leaf extract of Ficus hispida Linn. f. mediated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been prepared for reduction of 4-Nitrophenol, antioxidant and antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli. The rate of formation of Ag NPs is found to be depends on concentration of AgNO₃, concentration of aqueous leaf extract of Ficus hispida Linn. f., pH, temperature and reaction time. As prepared Ag NPs have been characterized by range of spectroscopic and microscopic techniquies such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. TEM images clearly showed that the formation of spherical shape Ag NPs with an average particle size of 20 nm. As prepared Ag NPs showed high catalytic activity towards the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol. Green synthesized Ag NPs showed enhanced antioxidant activity and also showed potent antibacterial activity against of both E. coli and Bacillus subtilis.