Green and Bio-Mechanochemical Approach to Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Potential

The area of nanotechnology has been enjoying enormous research interest recently because of the unique characteristics of nanoscale substances. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are attractive for their broad spectrum of utilization in various sectors. Among the several ways of AgNPs preparation, we focused on green synthesis using phytochemicals present in plants without the use of chemicals and surfactants that are harmful for humans and environment. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of the various options of green preparation of silver nanoparticles including bio-mechanochemical synthesis. Just few reports on the bio-mechanochemical synthesis combining tools of mechanochemistry (ball milling) and of green synthesis (plant material) were reported until now, and these studies are briefly reviewed. They show green and sustainable character of this method and underline the growing interest of scientists towards mechanochemistry. Silver and its compounds are known as strong antibacterial agents, so we have focused on description of the methods frequently applied to determine the antimicrobial properties of AgNPs.