Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Gloriosa superba L. leaf extract and their catalytic activity.

The present work focuses the use of aqueous extract of Gloriosa superba Linn. (Glory Lily) for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate aqueous solution. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloid, amino acids, carbohydrates and proteins in the extract and they serve as effective reducing and capping agents for converting silver nitrate to silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterised by UV (Ultra violet), FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray), and PL (Photoluminescence) studies. Moreover, the catalytic activity of synthesized AgNPs in the reduction of methylene blue was studied by UV-vis spectrophotometer. The synthesized AgNPs are observed to have a good catalytic activity on the reduction of methylene blue by G. superba extract which is confirmed by the decrease in absorbance maximum values of methylene blue with respect to time using UV-vis spectrophotometer.