Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Cinnamon zeylanicum Plants Bark Extract

Abstract

Nanoparticles are a special group of materials with unique features and extensive applications in diverse fields. The use of nanoparticles of some metals is common and useful in several fields due to the good properties of these nanoparticles. In this work, silver nanoparticles synthesized by extract of Cinnamon zeylanicum plants barks were investigated. 1ml of Cinnamon zeylanicum plants barks extract was added to 50 ml of 1mM aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution at the room temperature for (1hr -8hrs) to produce silver nanoparticles. A change in the color was observed. The color intensity increased with increasing reaction time. After 2 hrs, the color intensity was even higher; and giving a darker looks after 8 hrs. Separation by centrifugation, characterization using UV-VIS spectrophotometry and electron microscopy analysis were performed. The centrifugation lead to formation of 0.35 gm silver nanoparticles by 100 ml of Cinnamon zeylanicum plants barks extract. The UV-Vis spectral analysis showed silver surface plasmon resonance band at 400 nm. Electron microscopy showed that the particles were crystalline in nature, most of the nanoparticles were roughly spherical or circular in shape with smooth edges were observed, while the average size of the nanoparticles ranged between 8 and 20 nm. The approach of green synthesis seems to be cost effective, eco-friendly and easy alternative to conventional methods of silver nanoparticles synthesis.