Plant-mediated green synthesis of Ag, Cu, Pd and Au metallic nanoparticles for environmental and catalytic applications

In recent years, nanotechnology converts to an attractive research field which increasingly progressed in the field of materials technology. Up to now, different physical, chemical and biological methods for preparation of nanoparticles have been reported [1, 2]. However, chemists generally work on designation and performance of eco-friendly chemical processes to produce safer products, thus nanobiotechnology numbered among the most promising areas of nanoscience [3]. Biological methods of nanostructure synthesis using bacteria, fungi, yeast and plants benefits to many aspects such as no requirement to the usage of hazardous chemicals, large amounts of energy, high temperature or pressure and do not producing the toxic products [2,3]. In green synthesis process using plant extracts, nanoparticles are generated through biological reductions undergo plant biomolecules as stabilizing, capping and reducing agents [2,3]. Different characterization methods such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, EDS, VSM, BET and TEM techniques can be used to identification of nanoparticles. Due to their large surface area, nanomaterials can be used as catalyst in organic transformations. However, to prevent the agglomeration of small NPs, employing the solid supports is of great importance. Some of the advantages of nano catalysts are improving the efficiency and selectivity of chemical processes, energy saving and increasing the purity of the products