One-step green synthesis and characterization of plant protein-coated mercuric oxide (HgO) nanoparticles: antimicrobial studies

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the bioreductive green synthesis of nanosized HgO using flower extracts of an ornamental plant Callistemon viminalis. The flower extracts of Callistemon viminalis seem to be environmentally friendly, so this protocol could be used for rapid production of HgO. Till date, there is no report of synthesis of nanoparticles using flower extract of Callistemon viminalis. Mercuric acetate was taken as the metal precursor in the present experiment. The flower extract was found to act as a reducing as well as a stabilizing agent. The phytochemicals present in the flower extract act as reducing agent which include proteins, saponins, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, and flavonoids. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed that the extract had the ability to act as a reducing agent and stabilizer for HgO nanoparticles. The formation of the plant protein-coated HgO nanoparticles was first monitored using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the formation of HgO nanoparticles by exhibiting the typical surface plasmon absorption maxima at 243 nm. The average particle size formed ranges from 2 to 4 nm. The dried form of synthesized nanoparticles was further characterized using TGA, XRD, TEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra of synthesized HgO nanoparticles were performed to identify the possible bio-molecules responsible for capping and stabilization of nanoparticles, which confirm the formation of plant protein-coated HgO nanoparticles that is further corroborated by TGA study. The optical band gap of HgO nanoparticle was measured to be 2.48 eV using cutoff wavelength which indicates that HgO nanoparticles can be used in metal oxide semiconductor-based photovoltaic cells. A possible core-shell structure of the HgO nanobiocomposite has been proposed.

Nanoscaled Electrocatalytic Optically Modulated ZnO Nanoparticles through Green Process ofPunica granatumL. and Their Antibacterial Activities

“…For this reason, several metal oxides NPs have and still are being synthesised using green processes. Ahmad et al studied rapid green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using peels of Punica granatum [12] while Das et al reported a one-step green synthesis and characterisation of plant protein-coated mercuric oxide (HgO) nanoparticles: antimicrobial studies [13] and Ramesh and Meenakshisundaram synthesised zinc oxide NPs using flower extract of Cassia auriculata [14]. ZnO is one of the 2 International Journal of Electrochemistry main metal oxides which have been studied extensively using both chemical and green processes [1,15].…”

Nanophytovirology: An Emerging Field for Disease Management

“…The starter of a novel class of nanoscale particles with numerous exceptional properties and functions has flashed a series of innovative applications [14]. Engineered nano-materials (nanoparticles) range from 1 to 100 nm in size [15]. Engineered nanoparticles can be synthesized to precise dimensions and intended in numerous composite arrays, making their function and efficacy applicable in many fields.…”

“…Nanoparticles might employ an important integrity in future plant and human disease management that might range from disease diagnosis to disease treatment [16]. In recent past several nanoparticles has been synthesized across the globe by eminent scientists in various forms [17,18].…”

Synthesis, characterization, antimalarial, antitrypanocidal and antimicrobial properties of gold nanoparticle

“…Compounds with immense diversity like steroidal glycoside, triterpenoids (24), flavonoids (25), terpenoids (16), saponins and steroids (26) were isolated from this plant, in addition to this, the plant has been found to be very rich in phenolic content (16). Nanoparticles have been synthesized from Callistemon genus like C. viminalis (10,27,28).…”