Effect of Tinospora Cordifolia Leaf Extract Concentrations on Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized via green route using Tinospora cordifolia (Giloe) leaf extract and studies of the optical and photocatalytic properties of synthesized silver nanoparticles have been carried out. The formation of AgNPs was analyzed at different reaction times by UV-Vis spectrometer. The variation of particle size of synthesized AgNPs with different concentrations of giloe extract was studied and it is observed that particle size increases with the increase in the concentration of giloe extract. The optical band gap energy of AgNPs was calculated by using Tauc’s relation and the variation of band gap energy with the concentration of plant extract was studied. With the decrease in concentration of Giloi leaf extract, the optical energy band gap of AgNPs increases, which indicates a decrease in particle size. The green synthesized AgNPs acted as a good catalyst for the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye exposed to visible light. The MB dye degraded to almost 90% within 60 minutes of exposure time.