Microscopy Study of Xanthorrhoea glauca Leaves and Preliminary Investigation into Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

Author(s): Gerrard Eddy Jai Poinern, Monaliben Shah, Gordon Thomson, Derek Fawcett

The present study examines an eco-friendly room temperature method for synthesising producing Ag nanoparticles using the phytochemicals present in indigenous Xanthorrhoea glauca leaves. The study investigated the transverse and longitudinal sections of the long reed-like leaves via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to determine its structure. Microscopy was also used to determine the sites of nanoparticle synthesis within the leaf structure. While the leaf extract itself was also used to produce Ag nanoparticles from AgNO3. Particle shapes produced during the 20 minute incubation period consisted of cubes, truncated triangular and hexagonal plates ranging in size from 50 nm and 200 nm. Both energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to confirm Ag nanoparticle formation.

silver nanoparticles, biogenic synthesis, green chemistry

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