Recent Advances in the Green Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles for the Catalytic Reduction and Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants

ABSTRACT The pursuit of sustainable, cost‐effective, and energy‐efficient methods for synthesizing metal nanoparticles (NPs) with precise properties and biocompatibility is of paramount importance. Traditional synthesis approaches often involve toxic reagents, high costs, and environmental harm, prompting a shift toward green synthesis using natural resources such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and biopolymers. This review highlights recent trends in the eco‐friendly production of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles, focusing on their applications in the reduction and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. It delves into the mechanisms driving the biosynthesis of biogenic nanoparticles, emphasizing how plant extracts, rich in secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and enzymes, facilitate the reduction of metal ions through sustainable, one‐step processes. The review further explores the use of nanostructured catalysts, which, due to their high surface area and energy, offer superior catalytic performance by enhancing reaction selectivity, lowering operational temperatures, and improving recyclability, thus finding extensive use in green chemistry, environmental remediation, and renewable energy development.