Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using two Apocyanaceae plants and Screening for their Catalytic activity

The catalytic activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) gained an importance in removal of synthetic dyes from waste water released form textile industries. In this study aqueous leaf extract of Cascabela thevetia and Wrightia tomentosa were used to synthesize silver nanoparticles. Further the catalytic activity of newly synthesized particles in reducing 4-Nitrophenol, Methylene blue, Methyl orange and Methyl red using NaBH₄ was screened. It was observed that the respective amalgamated solutions of AgNO₃ and leaf extract turned reddish brown in colour after 48 hours incubation. The formation of AgNPs from C. thevetia and W.tomentosa were conformed by absorption maximum at 443.07nm and 440.05 nm in UV-Visible analysis. The absorption maxima results in UV-Vsible analysis of respective dyes clearly indicate total degradation by NaBH₄ and the AgNPs of both plants have exhibited remarkable catalytic activity in dye reduction reactions.