Biocompatible silver nanoparticles prepared with amino acids and a green method

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional nanoparticle synthesis often involves toxic chemicals, posing environmental and health risks.
• There is a growing need for sustainable and eco-friendly methods in nanomaterial production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a green synthesis method for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using amino acids and white light.
• To evaluate the efficacy of different amino acids in photoreduction for AgNP synthesis.
• To characterize the size and shape of the synthesized AgNPs.

Main Methods:

• Photoreduction synthesis of AgNPs using silver nitrate (AgNO3), Milli-Q water, xenon lamp illumination, and 21 different amino acids.
• Characterization of AgNPs using UV-Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of spherical AgNPs (15-30 nm) using tryptophan, tyrosine, methionine, cystine, and histidine via photoreduction.
• Tryptophan enabled AgNP synthesis without illumination or heating, especially when combined with sodium hydroxide (pH 10).
• Xenon lamp illumination facilitated the reduction of silver ions (Ag+) to metallic silver (Ag0) by releasing protons (H+).

Conclusions:

• Amino acids, particularly tryptophan, can be effectively used in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles.
• Photoreduction offers a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical methods for AgNP production.
• This study highlights the potential of sustainable approaches in nanotechnology.