KALANCHOE FEDTSCHENKOI MEDIATED SYNTHESIS OF TUNABLE GOLD NANOPARTICLES FOR PROTEIN INTERACTION AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY

Abstract

In this study, highly stable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of different sizes ranging from 15-55 nm were synthesized via an eco-friendly, sustainable and cost-efficient approach using a new plant, Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi. The AuNPs demonstrated an absorption spectrum at around 525 nm, hence exhibiting a strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band that is created when the free electrons of the AuNPs oscillate in harmony with the frequency of incident light. The impact of physiochemical environments, pH and temperature was examined. The crystal structure and stability of the produced AuNPs were validated with a X-Ray diffractogram, zeta potential analysis and absorption. The morphology, structure and bonds were examined using HRTEM and FTIR, respectively. The interaction of AuNPs (concentrations range of 0 - 181 µM) with plasma protein bovine serum albumin was explored using absorption and fluorescence studies. Further, AuNPs were utilized as an active catalyst for the degradation of dye methylene blue (MB) in the presence of NaBH4. MB was degraded by 94 %, and the solution became colorless within 16 min with a rate constant of 0.175 min-1 .