Plant-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Mangifera indica leaf extract and their characterization

Abstract

The development of environmentally sustainable synthesis routes for metallic nanoparticles has become a major focus in nanomaterials research. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a green synthesis approach employing Mangifera indica leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent, with silver nitrate (AgNO₃) as the metal precursor. The biosynthesis of AgNPs was visually indicated by a distinct color change and confirmed spectroscopically by a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 428 nm using UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The synthesized nanoparticles were further characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate their functional groups, colloidal stability and morphology. FTIR analysis revealed the involvement of phytochemical functional groups in the reduction and stabilization of silver nanoparticles. Zeta potential measurements indicated good electrostatic stability of the colloidal system, while TEM images confirmed the formation of predominantly spherical, well-dispersed nanoparticles with nanoscale dimensions. The results demonstrate that Mangifera indica leaf extract provides an efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective platform for the synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles, highlighting its potential for future biomedical, environmental and catalytic applications.