Hindawi Publishing Corporation Journal of Nanoparticles Volume 2013, Article ID 182320, 9 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/182320 Research Article Adiantum philippense L. Frond Assisted Rapid Green Synthesis of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Duhita G. Sant,1 Tejal R. Gujarathi,1 Shrikant R. Harne,1 Sougata Ghosh,2 Rohini Kitture,3 Sangeeta Kale,3 Balu A. Chopade,1 and Karishma R. Pardesi1 1 Department of Microbiology, University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India 2 Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India 3 DepartmentofAppliedPhysics,DefenceInstituteofAdvancedTechnology,Girinagar,Pune411025,India Correspondence should be addressed to Karishma R. Pardesi; [email protected] Received 31 January 2013; Accepted 18 April 2013 Academic Editor: Gunjan Agarwal Copyright © 2013 Duhita G. Sant et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Development of an ecofriendly, reliable, and rapid process for synthesis of nanoparticles using biological system is an important bulge in nanotechnology. Antioxidant potential and medicinal value of Adiantum philippense L. fascinated us to utilize it for biosynthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs). The current paper reports utility of aqueous extract of A. philippense L. fronds for the green synthesis of AuNPs and AgNPs. Effect of various parameters on synthesis of nanoparticles was monitored by UV-Vis spectrometry. Optimum conditions for AuNPs synthesis were 1 : 1 proportion of original extract at pH 11 and 5 mM tetrachloroauric acid, whereas optimum conditions for AgNPs synthesis were 1 : 1 proportion of original extract at pH 12 and 9 mM silver nitrate. Characterization of nanoparticles was done by TEM, SAED, XRD, EDS, FTIR, and DLS analyses. The results revealed that AuNPs and AgNPs were anisotropic. Monocrystalline AuNPs and polycrystalline AgNPs measured 10 to 18 nm in size. EDS and XRD analyses confirmed the presence of elemental gold and silver. FTIR analysis revealed a possible binding of extract to AuNPs through –NH2 group and to AgNPs through C=C group. These nanoparticles stabilized by a biological capping agent could further be utilized for biomedical applications. 1. Introduction Castro et al. [3] have reported synthesis of AuNPs, by intracellular or extracellular reduction of tetrachloroauric Nanotechnology is the study of materials that have at least acid using bacteria. Other biosynthetic routes include fungus, one dimension in the range of 1–100 nm. Decrease in size is marine sponge, eggshell membrane, whole plant, leaf extract, accompanied by elevated surface-area-to-volume ratio. Elec- flower, and tuber extract. Numerous methods available for tronic and chemical properties of a material are dependent biosynthesis of AgNPs include bacteria, mushroom, bark, on its size. When the bulk material is reduced to nanoscale, peel extract, and enzyme as reducing agents [1, 4–8]. its properties change. Such nanomaterials displaying novel AuNPs are being considered in a wide range of diagnostic properties have effective and wide utility in biological and biomedical applications. Noble metal nanoparticles such as and therapeutic applications, such as cancer detection and Au, Ag, Pt, and Pd have been most effectively studied [1, 2]. cancer treatment, drug delivery, biological imaging, and Physical and chemical methods yield nanoparticles with biomedicine, as well as in electrochemistry. The prominent well-defined shape and size, but these methods are expensive applications of silver nanomaterials include detection and and potentially toxic to environment. This has created a need diagnostics, antimicrobials and therapeutics, catalysis, and to develop clean, nontoxic, economical, and environmentally biolabeling [2]. benign methods to synthesize nanoparticles. These concerns Integration of phytochemicals in synthesis of nano- have led researchers to develop biological methods for syn- materials is of extreme importance as it brings about integ- thesis of nanoparticles. rity of plant science and nanotechnology, termed as green 2 Journal of Nanoparticles 1.6 5 1.4 4 1.2 1 3 0.8 2 Absorbance Absorbance 0.6 0.4 1 0.2 0 0 200 400 600 800 200 400 600 800 Wavelength (nm) Wavelength (nm) (Ori) (1 : 100) (Ori) (1 : 100) (1 : 10) (1 : 1000) (1 : 10) (1 : 1000) (a) (b) Figure 1: Surface plasmon peaks showing effect of varying extract concentrations (original extract, 1 : 10, 1 : 100, and 1 : 1000) on synthesis of AuNPs (a) and AgNPs (b). technology. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles using dicotyle- nitrate salt (AgNO3, 99.9%) (Qualigen Fine Chemicals, India) donous and monocotyledonous plants has been reported [1]. were procured and used without any further purification. However, pteridophytes known to man for their use in folk Aqueous stock solutions of tetrachloroauric acid (10 mM) medicine remain unexplored for this purpose. and silver nitrate (100 mM) were prepared in a stoppered The fern Adiantum philippense L. (family Adiantaceae) volumetricflaskandstoredinambercolorbottles. well known for its antioxidant potential [9] has been eth- Freshly prepared extract of A. philippense L. was mixed nomedicinally used in treatment of paralysis, blood diseases, with aqueous solution of 10 mM tetrachloroauric acid in 1 : 1 ∘ epileptic fits, rabies, dysentery, elephantiasis, pimples, and proportion. The mixture was allowed to react at 30 C, with wounds [10, 11]. It is also known for its antimicrobial activity vigorous shaking. Synthesis of AuNPs was checked visually [11]. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts belonging to by determining the color change from yellow brown to dark genus Adiantum shows the presence of carbohydrates, phe- blue. Similar procedure was followed for synthesis of AgNPs, nols, flavonoids, and terpenoids [11–13]. Therefore, presence indicated by a brick red color formation. Confirmation of these compounds may have a role in making Adiantum a was done on the basis of a characteristic peak obtained in potential candidate for bioreduction of gold and silver salts. the absorbance range of 500–600 nm for AuNPs and 400– In the present study, we have used A. philippense L. extract for 500 nm for AgNPs. the synthesis of AuNPs and AgNPs. 2.3. Effect of Different Parameters on Synthesis of AuNPs and 2. Material and Methods AgNPs. Effect of different parameters such as concentration of extract (original, 1 : 10, 1 : 100, and 1 : 1000 in double distilled 2.1. Preparation of the Aqueous Plant Extract. Fresh fronds water), concentration of salt (1–10 mM), and pH (2–13) of of A. philippense L. were obtained from Western Ghats original extract on synthesis of AuNPs and AgNPs was (Sinhagad fort, Pune, India) region and identified from checked. Criterion for selecting optimum condition was Botanical Survey of India (Western Circle), Pune, India. observingforanarrowpeakatcharacteristicwavelength Fronds with mature sori were washed thoroughly and allowed giving maximum absorbance. to dry. Five grams of fronds were chopped into fine pieces and grounded into paste. This paste was extracted in 100 mL 2.4. Characterization of AuNPs and AgNPs. Absorption spec- double distilled water. The extract was passed through muslin trum of AuNPs and AgNPs was recorded on (JASCO V- cloth and filtrate was centrifuged at 2500 g for 10 min at 630) UV-Vis spectrophotometric multiplate reader. Film X- room temperature. Supernatant thus obtained was filtered ray diffraction (XRD) was performed using an X-ray diffrac- through Whatman Filter Paper No. 1 and used for synthesis tometer (Phillips PW1710, Holland) with CuK radiation of nanoparticles. ∘ = 1.5406 A˚ over a wide range of Bragg angles (20 ≤ ∘ 2 ≤ 80 ). Morphology and size of AuNPs were investigated 2 2.2. Synthesis of AuNPs and AgNPs. Tetrachloroauric acid salt by transmission electron microscopy (Tecnai G 20U-TWIN (HAuCl4⋅4H2O, 49.9%) (SRL Chemicals, India) and silver (FEI,theNetherlands),TEMwithLaB6 electron source) Journal of Nanoparticles 3 2.5 3 2.5 2 2 1.5 1.5 1 Absorbance Absorbance 1 0.5 0.5 0 0 200 400 600 800 200 400 600 800 Wavelength (nm) Wavelength (nm) 1 mM 6 mM 1 mM 6 mM 2 mM 7 mM 2 mM 7 mM 3 mM 8 mM 3 mM 8 mM 4 mM 9 mM 4 mM 9 mM 5 mM 10 mM 5 mM 10 mM (a) (b) Figure 2: (a) Surface Plasmon Resonance of varying tetrachloroauric acid concentrations (1–10 mM) on synthesis of AuNPs. (b) Surface Plasmon Resonance of varying silver nitrate concentrations (1–10 mM) on synthesis of AgNPs. 2.5 4.5 4 2 3.5 3 1.5 2.5 2 1 Absorbance Absorbance 1.5 0.5 1 0.5 0 0 200 400 600 800 200 400 600 800 Wavelength (nm) Wavelength (nm) (pH 2) (pH 8) (pH 2) (pH 8) (pH 3) (pH 9) (pH 3) (pH 9) (pH 4) (pH 10) (pH 4) (pH 10) (pH 5) (pH 11) (pH 5) (pH 11) (pH 6) (pH 12) (pH 6) (pH 12) (pH 7) (pH 13) (pH 7) (pH 13) (a) (b) Figure 3: (a) Surface plasmon peaks of AuNPs with varying pH values (2–13). (b) Surface plasmon peaks of AgNPs with varying pH values (2–13). with an accelerating voltage of 200 kV. An elemental analysis by a dynamic light scattering apparatus utilizing 663 nm red ∘ ofthesamplewasexaminedbyenergydispersiveanalysesof laser at 90 angles. X-rays (EDAX) with 6360 (LA) instrument at an Acc voltage The samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of 20 kV. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) and energy dispersive scattering (EDS) and X-ray diffraction measurements were done using Perkin Elmer (16 PC-FT-IR) (XRD) were prepared by placing a drop of AuNPs and spectrophotometer. Particle size distribution was measured AgNPs onto a 1 cm ∗ 1 cm glass slide. Samples were then heat 4 Journal of Nanoparticles fixed and subjected for analysis. The AuNPs, AgNPs, and A. 4.5 philippense L. extracts were pelletized separately in IR grade KBr (HiMedia, India) and were scanned over a range of 4 −1 4000–400 cm in FTIR analysis.