Bioactive Molecules Coated Silver Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis from Curcuma zanthorrhiza and HR-LCMS Monitored Validation of Its Photocatalytic Potency Towards Malachite Green Degradation

Abstract

The study focuses on a non-stringent, rapid and sustainable way for the synthesis of silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2ONPs) using aqueous rhizome extract of Curcuma zanthorrhiza Roxb. (Cz). High resolution liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (HR-LCMS) was used for the simultaneous identification of bioactive molecules in the aqueous rhizome extract and its biosynthesized nanoparticles. The presence of eleven bioactive molecules in the rhizome extract acts as reducing and capping agents during the synthesis of Ag2ONPs. The molecules coated to Ag2ONPs were identified to be majorly sesquiterpenoids and lipid molecules. The analytical techniques used for the nanoparticle characterization included UV–Visible spectrum, which showed SPR band at 409 nm; FTIR spectrum depicted the bioactive molecules involved in capping and reduction of silver ions to silver oxide nanoparticles; XRD pattern attributed to fcc structure of CzAg2ONPs with an average size of 39.7 nm; HR-TEM and FESEM confirmed the size and morphology of CzAg2ONPs. The chemical nature of the bioactive molecules bound to Ag2ONPs revealed by HR-LCMS was in agreement with FTIR spectral data. The CzAg2ONPs exhibited efficient photocatalytic activity in the degradation of the toxic dye malachite green (MG) as revealed by the absorption spectra. The degraded product was subjected to HR-LCMS and found to be non-toxic. The results revealed the promising potential of bioactive molecules coated Ag2ONPs for environmental cleanup.