Environmentally benign synthesis of silver nano particles with applications in pollution monitoring

Metal nanoparticles synthesis via green ways, is an environment friendly practice which offers many prospects for the young researchers in the preparation of well characterized silver nanoparticles. Plant materials are now mostly employed for the synthesis of nanomaterials. The present work is a viable and low cost approach for the preparation of silver nanoparticles using leaf extract from a plant Gliricidia sepium, which is found in different parts of India. Surface Plasmon Resonance, the distinctive feature has been used towards the depiction of the silver nanoparticles prepared. The nanomaterials prepared was characterized by means of U.V Visible Spectroscopy. An approach towards the development of colorimetric sensors for the identification of mercuric ions was initiated. The sensitivity of the metal nanoparticles for the recognition of metal ions was observed by the change in the SPR band. Furthermore in the study we employed for the preparation of silver nanoparticles was cost effective and environment friendly.