Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using essential oil of aerial part of cyclospermum leptophyllum and their application in colorimetric determination of metallic ions

The focus of this research was to synthesize biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the essential oil of the aerial part of Cyclospermum leptophyllum (CLEO) and investigate their colorimetric determination of metallic ions. In the synthesis of CLEO mediated AgNPs (CLEO-AgNPs), the one-factor-at-a-time method was used to optimize the reaction parameters. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) peak of CLEO-AgNPs was determined at 426 nm. Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis identified the functional groups participating in the bio-reducing, capping, and stabilizing processes in the CLEO-AgNPs synthesis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image demonstrated the predominately spherical shape and the average size of 70.86+1.80 nm of CLEO-AgNPs. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) peak profile depicted the presence of Ag elements in CLEO-AgNPs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks observed at 38.5°, 44°, 65°, and 77° which represent Ag(111), Ag(200), Ag(220), and Ag(311) lattice faces, respectively. The average zeta nanosize, zeta potential, and polydispersity index of CLEO-AgNPs were determined as 69.70 nm, -43.5 mV, and 0.256, respectively. The stability test exhibited the prolonged storage stability of CLEO-AgNPs for over six months at room temperature. CLEO-AgNPs demonstrated the potential colorimetric detection of K+, Mg2+, Al3+, Cr6+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ ions in the real samples. KEY WORDS: Cyclospermum leptophyllum, Essential oil, Biogenic silver nanoparticles, Bio-reductants, Colorimetric detection   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(1), 213-228. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i1.16