Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Dipteryx alata, a native cerrado species: optical, morphological and colloidal characterization

Abstract Green synthesis provides a sustainable route to metallic nanoparticles using phytochemicals as reducing and capping agents. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in aqueous medium with leaf extracts of Dipteryx alata Vogel, a native Brazilian Cerrado species enriched in phenolic and antioxidant metabolites. UV monitored the formation of AgNPs–Vis spectroscopy, which demonstrated rapid nucleation, progressive growth, and a characteristic blue-shift of the surface plasmon resonance band for the 90/10 (AgNO 3 /extract) formulation, denoting the formation of smaller nanoparticles. SEM-FEG imaging confirmed predominantly spherical nanostructures with EDS verifying their Ag-based composition. Dynamic light scattering measurements yielded a multimodal size distribution dominated by nanometric populations (≈18 nm), with secondary fractions attributable to limited aggregation and consistent with a moderate zeta potential (≈ − 12 mV). Together, the complementary techniques demonstrate that D. alata metabolites facilitate nucleation, growth, and stabilization of AgNPs via a classical phytochemical-mediated mechanism. These findings underscore the bioprospecting potential of Cerrado plant species for eco-friendly nanomaterial deployment and strengthen D. alata as a viable platform for biosensing, catalytic, and antimicrobial applications.