Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Acacia leucophloea in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and their antibacterial activity

The silver nanoparticles (Ag-Nps) synthesized by green reduction process using the leaf extract of Acacia leucophloea exhibited the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 435 nm. There were several techniques like UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and selected area electron diffraction patterns (SAED) used to examine the growth kinetics, surface morphology, and crystallinity aspects of Ag-Nps in the absence and the presence of cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) was used to confirm the reducing utility of leaf extract. The size of synthesized Ag-Nps varied from 10 to > 100 nm in the absence of CTAB and from 10 to 50 nm in its presence. While irregular or polytope-outlined Ag-NPs were detected in the absence of CTAB, spherical or oval shape prevailed in its prevalence. Williamson-Hall models were employed to deduce the crystallinity aspects of the procured Ag-Nps. Furthermore, the Ag-Nps effected in the presence of CTAB exhibited more antibacterial efficacy.