Abstract
Green synthesis of nanoparticles, as fundamental building blocks of nanotechnology, has recently attracted considerable attention. Silver nanoparticles have unique physiochemical, biological and environmental properties which make them useful in a wide range of applications. In the present paper we report our research results on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver precursor using milk-thistle plant (Silybum marianum) seed extract. The resulting synthesized Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized with UV– visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our measurements showed that S. marianum seed extract can mediate facile and eco-friendly biosynthesis of colloidal spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of size range 1–25 nm. The colloidal AgNPs were formed at room temperature and were observed to be highly stable even after 6 months
