A novel one-pot 'green' synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles using soluble starch.

Stable silver nanoparticles have been synthesized by using soluble starch as both the reducing and stabilizing agents; this reaction was carried out in an autoclave at 15 psi, 121 degrees C for 5 min. Nanoparticles thus prepared are found to be stable in aqueous solution over a period of three months at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees C). The size of these nanoparticles was found to be in the range of 10-34 nm as analyzed using transmission electron micrographs. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the face-centred cubic (fcc) geometry of silver nanoparticles. Iodometric titration confirmed the entrapment of silver nanoparticles inside the helical amylose chain. These silver nanoparticles embedded in soluble starch produced a typical emission peak at 553 nm when excited at 380 nm. The use of environmentally benign and renewable materials like soluble starch offers numerous benefits of eco-friendliness and compatibility for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.