Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil for one pot synthesis of silver nanocatalyst: An ecofriendly approach

Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized and stabilized by using Sacha inchi (SI) oil. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and particle size analyzer. TEM reveals the nanostructure of the particles distorted cubic in shape; and the mean sizes are 60 nm. Based on the FTIR analysis, carbonyl groups of SI oil played an important reduction role during the synthesis process. The stable and crystalline nanoparticles show photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of the methylene blue (MB) without using any reducing agent. The experimental approach is simple, rapid, cost-effective and reproducible at room temperature. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.