Green Synthesis of Silver Particles Using Citrus Microcarpa Peel Extract

Green synthesis of particles involves the use of safe biological agents as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to chemical synthesis. In this study, silver particles were biosynthesised by using silver nitrate and aqueous Citrus microcarpa peel extract as the reducing and stabilising agent. The synthesised silver particles were confirmed and characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The UV-Vis spectrum showed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with maximum peak intensity around 450 nm. The DLS studies show that silver particles have an average Z-diameter value of 235 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.363, which indicates the presence of agglomeration. The reaction parameters have a significant effect on the formation of silver particles. The highest absorbance recorded was 1.42 obtained under conditions of 72 hours reaction time, using 5 wt.% peel extract that reacted with 8 mM silver nitrate solution, while the ratio of solution of peel extract to silver nitrate was fixed at 1:5. Silver particles were successfully synthesised by Citrus microcarpa peel extract, which has the potential to replace the chemical method. (author)