A Simple and Green Method for the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ricinus Communis Leaf Extract

A simple and green approach for the synthesis of nanocrystals of silver (Ag) using Ricinus communis leaf extract at room temperature is described. Treatment of aqueous silver ions with aqueous leaf extract got Ag+ ions reduced and resulted in the formation of silver nanoparticles (NPs). The silver NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The nanoparticles obtained are in the size range of 20-30 nm and crystallized in the form of face centered cubic (fcc) symmetry. This green chemical method has several advantages such as cost-effectiveness, compatibility for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications as well as for large scale commercial production.