Phytochemical-Based Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle: Mechanism and Potential Applications

Nanoparticles, nowadays, are being used in multiple applications such as therapeutics, industries, healthcare, cosmetics, and wound healing. Nanoparticles are entirely distinct from bulk particles as they have a giant surface area to volume ratio, therefore, showing various mechanical, electrical, physical, chemical, and optical properties, and thus, being used in different properties. As there are so many applications of metallic nanoparticles, there is a requirement for an efficient method for nanoparticle synthesis because the conventional chemical methods used to synthesize nanoparticles have limitations such as high cost and negative environmental impact. To overcome these drawbacks, green methods for nanoparticle synthesis have emerged as an eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative. The green method for nanoparticle amalgam is cost-efficient and eco-friendly, unlike the chemical technique for nanoparticle synthesis. A variety of dimensions of nanoparticles can be synthesized by a substitute of the plant’s extract. Moreover, there is no requirement for external stabilizing agents and the involvement of harmful chemicals. This review aims to investigate how plant compounds can be used to synthesize silver nanoparticles and to evaluate the potential of plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. This review seeks to investigate the green production of metallic nanoparticles using plant-derived chemicals and to assess the potential of plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. The study investigates the function of numerous plant substances in the synthesis process, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and phenols. The paper also examines various methods for figuring out the morphology of nanoparticles created from various plant parts and their prospective uses as antibacterial agents, wastewater treatment, and reactive oxygen species modulators. This review offers insightful information about the possible uses of metallic nanoparticles by highlighting the advantages of environmentally friendly processes for the manufacture of silver nanoparticles.