Transformation of aromatic dyes using green synthesized silver nanoparticles

Nowadays, increasing use of nanoproducts in area of human and environmental applications raises concern about safety aspects of nanoparticles synthesized using traditional physicochemical methods. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis at ambient parameters using latex of medicinally important plant Jatropha gossypifolia (J. gossypifolia) is reported in the present study. Potential of AgNPs in degradation of methylene blue and eosin B was also evaluated. Rapid formation of stable AgNPs was analyzed by visual color change from colorless to yellow-red after addition of latex in AgNO₃ solution and by characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 430 nm in UV–Vis spectroscopy. FT-IR analysis, protein coagulation test showed capping of proteins, flavonoids, terpenoids and polyphenols of latex on surface of AgNPs. FE-SEM, HR-TEM analysis revealed spherical shape of AgNPs. Narrow size range of AgNPs (5–40 nm) observed in HR-TEM analysis. EDS analysis confirms the presence of elemental silver while XRD revealed crystalline nature of AgNPs. Zeta potential of ?21.4 mV indicates high stability of AgNPs. Effects of different parameters (pH, temperature, incubation time) on nanosynthesis were studied in the present study. Dye reduction studies were performed using UV–Vis spectroscopy, TLC, FT-IR and HPLC analysis showing decreased absorbance maxima of both dyes with respect to time, change in R _f values, changes in wave number, transmittance, and retention time of dyes after AgNPs addition. The rate constant for methylene blue and eosin B reduction by AgNPs was found to be 0.062 and 0.022 min^?1.