Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their characterization by XRD

A cost effective and environment friendly technique for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has been reported. Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized using ethanol extract of fruits of Santalum album (Family Santalaceae), commonly known as East Indian sandalwood. Fruits of S.album were collected and crushed. Ethanol was added to the crushed fruits and mixture was exposed to microwave for few minutes. Extract was concentrated by Buchi rotavaporator. To this extract, 1mM aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3) was added. After about 24 hr incubation Ag+ ions in AgNO3 solution were reduced to Ag atoms by the extract. Silver nanoparticles were obtained in powder form. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the prepared sample of silver nanoparticles was recorded The diffractogram has been compared with the standard powder diffraction card of JCPDS silver file. Four peaks have been identified corresponding to (hkl) values of silver. The XRD study confirms that the resultant particles are silver nanoparticles having FCC structure. The average crystalline size D, the value of the interplanar spacing between the atoms, d, lattice constant and cell volume have been estimated. Thus, silver nanoparticles with well-defined dimensions could be synthesized by reduction of metal ions due to fruit extract of S.album.