Agroindustrial waste from corn industry is commonly known as corn stover, it comprises stalks, leaves, tassel, cob, and husk. Corn husk is the outer shell surrounding the corncob; it accounts for 40% of the residues weight, however, its phytochemical properties have not been technologically exploited yet. To explore its properties, the present study reports three different environmentally friendly methods for the preparation of Au, Ag, and ZnO nanoparticles in water, using aqueous corn husk extracts as the reducing agent and starch as the protecting agent. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), atenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), termogravimetrical analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV–vis spectroscopy were used to characterized raw materials and nanoparticles. The effect of changes in the volume and composition of corn husk extracts on morphology and composition of nanoparticles was evaluated. Plasmonic resonance properties of nanoparticles corroborated that aqueous corn husk extracts transformed Au3+, Ag1+ and Zn2+ ions to Au, Ag and ZnO nanoparticles, and their morphology depended on the extract volume used in the synthesis reaction.

Potential of corn husk to produce inorganic nanoparticles

251st National Meeting (2016)

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