Feasible Microwave-Supported Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis by Employing Sycamore Leaves Extract, and Their Characterization

A microwave-aided process is designated to synthesize silver nanoparticles to conduct the fast reaction, hinder the enzymatic action, and maintain the environmentally clean process. In this current study, the sycamore leaves extract reduces Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ by microwave irradiation where the plant functions as a capping and a reducing agent. The affirmation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) formation is realized from the absorption spectra of UV–Vis for the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at λ = 450 nm. A linear increase between the elevation of SPR and the reaction heating time is resolved. A marginal upsurge in the pH of the reaction mixture throughout the AgNPs formation coincides with the projected mechanism. The consequences of particle size and distribution in dissimilar pH values are revealed. FT-IR spectrum designates the attendance of the representative functional groups of the plant extract biomolecules. Elemental analysis by XPS supports other findings throughout the study. Bandgap calculations reveal the correlation between pH impact and the resulting values. The bio-functionalized silver nanoparticles colloidal solution maintained its stability for a prolonged storage duration of 4 months at ambient conditions. This process provides a reliable and rapid route for AgNPs green synthesis beneficial for a wide set of applications.