SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING GUARGUM (GG)

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are under constant investigation due to their novel physical and chemical properties. Their optical, antimicrobial, catalytic and electrical properties make them suitable for variety of applications, at the same time they can be synthesized using various green chemistry techniques. In this project we have synthesized silver nanoparticles using guar gum (GG), which is a natural polymer as reducing agent. Guar gum also acts as capping agent. Ag/GG composite thin films were fabricated using simple dip coating and spin coating on glass substrates. Various characterization techniques were used to get structural, chemical and optical properties of synthesized materials. SEM ad AFM images revealed that particle size is approximately in 100-150nm range. FTIR spectrum confirms presence of guar gum as capping agent. XRD pattern shows crystalline nature of the films and face centered cubic (FCC) geometry. UV Vis spectrum gives absorption peak at 450 nm, and also gives the approximate optical band gap energy Eg= 1.86 eV. These nanocomposites can find application in semiconductor physics and sensors.