Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Waste Tea Leaves

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has gained momentum since the demand to synthesize nanoparticles in an eco-friendly way has increased significantly. Here we report, economic and cost-effective biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using waste of tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). The aim of the study was to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles and to assess its potential applications such as antibacterial activity, plant growth induction and dye degradation. Standardization studies were done using UV- Spectroscopy to determine the optimum synthesis condition for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The optimum conditions were found to be pH 6.0, ambient temperature condition and 5mM AgNO3 concentration. Characterization studies using UV-Visible Spectroscopy, TEM and AFM analysis show nanoscale range of the particles. The silver nanoparticles showed maximum antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia followed by E. coli and minimum activity against C. diptheriae. The nanoparticles showed significant effect on the growth of Vigna radiata seeds at 50% concentration of nanoparticles. The particles immobilized on cotton cloth showed antibacterial activity against Gram positive organisms. Dye degradation studies showed that the nanoparticles are able to degrade phenol red and blue textile dye effectively.