Eco-friendly synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles mediated by pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract

Abstract

This study presents an environmentally sustainable approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract as a natural reducing and stabilising agent. The use of bio-waste materials provides an eco-friendly substitute for conventional chemical synthesis approaches. The generation of AgNPs was initially indicated by a visible colour change in the reaction solution, shifting from light yellow to brown, which signifies the reduction of silver ions. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised through UV-visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and zeta potential analysis. The UV-visible analysis displayed a distinct surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 410 nm, confirming the successful formation of silver nanoparticles. FE-SEM demonstrated that the synthesised AgNPs possessed spherical morphology with particle sizes ranging from 90 to 100 nm. A certain degree of aggregation was also observed, which can be attributed to interparticle interactions at the nanoscale. Furthermore, zeta potential analysis showed a value of -22.9 mV, indicating a negatively charged surface and moderate colloidal stability of the nanoparticles. The stability is mainly attributed to the presence of phytochemicals in the pomegranate peel extract, which act as effective capping agents. Overall, the study demonstrates that pomegranate peel can serve as an effective, low-cost, and environmentally benign bio-resource for the green synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles with potential applications in nanotechnology.