Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol

The present study deals with simple and rapid method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Areca catechu root extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. Stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were formed on treatment of an aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution with the root extract. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized well by UV-Visible. spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD confirms face-centered cubic phase and the diffraction peaks can be attributed to (1 1 1), (2 0 0), (2 2 2) and (3 1 1) planes for these nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs were also found to function as efficient green catalyst in the reduction of anthropogenic pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by sodium borohydride, which was apparent from the progressive colour change of bright yellow to colourless solution, after the addition of silver nanoparticles.