Gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium): A template for the green synthesis and stabilization of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial application

A facile and ecofriendly method has been developed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate using gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium) a natural biopolymer, as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The influence of different parameters such as gum particle size, concentration of gum, concentration of silver nitrate and reaction time on the synthesis of nanoparticles was studied. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. By optimizing the reaction conditions, we could achieve nearly monodispersed and size controlled spherical nanoparticles of around 3 nm. A possible mechanism involved in the reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles has been investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The synthesized silver nanoparticles had significant antibacterial action on both the Gram classes of bacteria. As the silver nanoparticles are encapsulated with functional group rich gum, they can be easily integrated for various applications.