Green synthesis of nanomaterials is strategic to enhance the use of nanoparticles in environmental related processes. The chemistry profile of Leucaena leucocephala, a worldwide distributed mimosoid legume in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, corresponds to the allelopathic responses of this plant in nature. The leaflets plant collected in the southern region of PR were used to prepare an extract which posteriorly was employed as a reducing agent to synthesize silver nanoparticles. Additionally, a comparative analysis of single reduction using Leucaena leucocephala with and without ethylene glycol (EG) was performed. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized with UV spectroscopy and a Dynamic Light Scattering to determine their sizes. The UV-Vis spectrum presented the characteristic plasmon signal for silver at 415 nm, and the average diameter for green nanoparticles was estimated at 65.4 nm for the nanoparticles obtained used only the plant extract and 86.4 nm for those nanoparticles obtained using ethylene glycol. Additionally, stability studies were carried out by monitoring periodically the size of the nanoparticles for both types of synthesis, plant extract and ethylene glycol. This study confirmed that the silver nanoparticles obtained using the leaflets extracts alone remained stable for more than one month rather those obtained using EG. These results indicate the potential of allelopathic substances such as mimosine to produce highly stabilized green nanoparticles.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using extracts from Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Witt. leaflets

249th National Meeting (2015)

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