Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) peel extract: A novel approach towards waste utilization

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) peel extract without adding external surfactant and capping agent. Aqueous silver (Ag) ions when exposed to Satsuma mandarin peel extract were reduced and formed silver nanoparticles in the size range 5-20 nm. The AgNPs produced were characterized by UV-visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). This study demonstrates the feasibility of using fruit wastes for the synthesis of AgNPs. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.