Rapid and Green Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Phoenix dactylifera L. (Date Palm) Wood Extract and Evaluation of Catalytic and Antibacterial Activities

Objective: We develop a method for green synthesis of nanoparticles using date palme wood extract (Phoenix dactiferia L.) in a rapid and eco-friendly microwave-assisted synthesis from silver nitrate solution. Background: Green synthesis of metallic silver nanoparticles has attracted attention nowadays and as credible alternative to physical and chemical approaches that can be expensive and can also have toxic substances absorbed onto them. Method: Microwave parameters (irradiation time and power), woodextract and silver nitrate concentration were optimized. The UV-visible spectroscopy was used to monitor the silver nanoparticle formation through sampling at time intervals. Results: The formation of silver nanoparticles was apparently displayed within evidence of surface plasmon bands, phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles dimensions 20-60 nm were characterizedusing X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle sizes obtained from the widening of the XRD line were found to be about 39.57 nm, which is well correlated with that obtained from TEM. Application: Prepared silver nanoparticles were used as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitro phenol to 4-amino phenol. The green synthesized nanoparticles exhibited potent antibacterial activity against the pathogenic bacteria, as evidenced by their zones of inhibition.