Exploring biomaterials/molecules as a reducing/capping agent for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles has set a new trend in green nanotechnology with improved environmental safety. Herein, a facile, one-pot, and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was achieved using Panax ginseng root extract that was obtained from the root powder as a cost-effective and environmentfriendly biomaterial. Optical, functional, and morphological characteristics of the synthesized AgNPs were determined using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometers, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The synthesized AgNPs were used for the detection of Hg 2+ by obtaining the absorption spectrum of the compound as a function of Hg 2+ concentration, which resulted in a decrease in absorption peak intensity with a slight blue shift. The AgNP solution decolored upon dissolution due to the formation of an Ag-Hg amalgam. The sensing characteristics were found to be linear when tested from 10 µM to 1 mM Hg 2+ concentration and the detection limit was estimated as 5 µM. To check the selectivity of the sensor towards Hg 2+ , the sensor response was measured for different heavy metals such as K + , Na + , Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ , Ca 2+ , Zn 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Mn 2+ , at 10 mM concentrations.
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