Synthesis and Characterization of Plant Derived Silver Nanoparticles Using UV-VIS Spectroscopy

The present study focuses on the green synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves and Acorus calamus rhizomes. Green nanotechnology offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to conventional physical and chemical nanoparticle synthesis methods, which often involve toxic chemicals and high energy consumption. In this study, aqueous extracts of both plants were prepared and utilized as reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate solution. The formation of nanoparticles was initially indicated by a visible color change from pale yellow to brown, confirming the reduction of Ag ions to Ag. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, which revealed distinct Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peaks at approximately 421 nm for Azadirachta indica and 384 nm for Acorus calamus, confirming successful nanoparticle formation. Comparative analysis demonstrated that Azadirachta indica exhibited superior reducing ability, faster synthesis rate, and greater stability of nanoparticles compared to Acorus calamus. More than 90% reduction of silver ions occurred within 4 hours, indicating rapid nanoparticle formation. The enhanced efficiency of neem extract is attributed to the presence of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids, which play a crucial role in reduction and stabilization processes. The study concludes that plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles is an effective and environmentally benign approach with significant potential for antimicrobial and biomedical applications. The findings highlight the importance of phytoconstituents in nanoparticle synthesis and suggest further exploration for large-scale production and therapeutic applications.