Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have a variety of applications, such as inhibiting the growth of bacteria and catalyzing oxidation-reduction reactions. Although AgNPs are very useful, the synthetic routes to obtain AgNPs are typically hazardous and complicated. In order to circumvent this issue, we have employed a synthetic procedure that is quick, simple, and non-hazardous. We have synthesized AgNPs using the following traditional Chinese medical (TCM) aqueous herb extracts: sheng di huang, shu di huang, chrysanthemum, and honeysuckle. Each type of AgNP was characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), Nanoparticle Analyzer (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). To ensure our AgNPs displayed the same antimicrobial and catalytic properties associated with AgNPs synthesized by other synthetic methods, we performed agar diffusion and catalytic tests on our AgNPs. We also examined our aqueous extracts for phytochemicals responsible for the reduction of Ag<sup>+</sup> ions to Ag<sup>0 </sup>and/or the capping of the AgNPs by performing phytochemical screenings and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on the extracts before and after the extracts were used for AgNP synthesis. While I was not conducting research at the National University of Singapore this past summer, I was fortunate to have the chance to explore Singapore and Southeast Asia. The spectacular sights I saw, the amazing people I met, and the memorable experiences I had have encouraged me to explore the world.

Exploring southeast Asia and biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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