Solid state synthesis of starch-capped silver nanoparticles.

Area of Science:

• Green Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have diverse applications but require efficient and sustainable synthesis methods.
• Traditional synthesis routes often involve harsh chemicals and complex procedures.
• Developing environmentally friendly approaches for AgNP production is crucial for industrial scalability and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an environmentally friendly, one-pot green synthesis technique for dry, stable powdered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
• To utilize starch as both a reducing and stabilizing agent in the presence of sodium hydroxide.
• To investigate the structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized AgNPs.

Main Methods:

• One-pot green synthesis of AgNPs using starch and sodium hydroxide.
• Characterization using UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, FT-IR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• Assessment of AgNP formation, stability, size, morphology, and purity.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of highly stable, well-dispersed AgNPs with sphere-like morphology, not exceeding 30nm.
• UV-vis spectroscopy showed characteristic absorbance peaks for AgNPs, with intensity correlating to silver nitrate concentration.
• XRD and FT-IR analyses confirmed the purity of the synthesized AgNPs without noticeable impurities.
• The one-pot synthesis is scalable, clean, and easily operated, facilitating industrial application.

Conclusions:

• A novel, green, and efficient one-pot method for producing stable, powdered AgNPs has been developed.
• Starch, activated by sodium hydroxide, effectively reduces silver ions and stabilizes the nanoparticles.
• The synthesized AgNPs are pure, well-dispersed, and possess desirable characteristics for applications in industries like textiles and painting.