Green Synthesis and characterization of gold Nanoparticles using Green Alga Ulva Lactuca and evaluation of their Catalytric Role

Abstract

Nanoparticles synthesized using typical chemical procedures have associated environmental risks because of the use of hazardous chemicals. With the ever-increasing potential application for nanomaterials, there is a growing need to develop new synthetic procedures for nanomaterials which are non-toxic and eco-friendly. This study presents, as a first step, the screening of the aqueous extracts of several seaweeds in order to assess their ability to produce gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Eleven aqueous extracts were screened for the synthesis of AuNPs and where AuNPs were formed, these were further characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy and HRTEM primarily. Three of the eleven aqueous extracts shown to produce AuNPs were extracts obtained from brown algae. The total antioxidant and total reducing power contents, as well as the DPPH radical scavenging abilities for these extracts were determined and related to their ability to produce the NPs. The AuNPs were found to be of various shapes and sizes including spheres, rods and triangles, with sizes ranging from 20 nm to 200 nm.