Microwave assisted synthesis of gold nanoparticles with Phyla nodiflora (L. ) Greene leaves extract and its studies of catalytic reduction of organic pollutants

The synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has drawn attention over the past few years owing to their optical and physico-chemical properties. In this work, AuNPs were synthesized using Phyla nodiflora (L.) leaf extract by microwave irradiation method. This leaf extract act as reducing and stabilizing agent. The concentrations of Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene leaf extract, HAuCl 4 and duration of microwave irradiation were optimized for the better yield of AuNPs. The AuNPs formation was confirmed by different analytical techniques like UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM). Under the optimal synthetic conditions, the average diameter and zeta potential of AuNPs synthe- sized were 10 +/- 2 nm and-24.0 mV respectively. Phytochemicals present in the extract help to reduce Au+3 to Au-0 and act as a stabilizer in the synthesis of AuNPs. Afterwards, the catalytic activity of AuNPs was studied in NaBH 4 assisted reduction of p-nitrophenol (4-NP), Congo Red (CR) and Methylene Blue (MB). Thus, AuNPs synthesized with leaf extract could be an excellent catalyst for 4- NP, CR and MB in chemical industries. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the First International con- ference on Advanced Lightweight Materials and Structures.