Silver nanoparticles
(Ag-NPs) exhibit vast potential in numerous
applications, such as wastewater treatment and catalysis. In this
study, we report the green synthesis of Ag-NPs usingAcacia ehrenbergianaplant cortex extract to reduce
cationic Rhodamine B (RhB) dye and for antibacterial and antifungal
applications. The green synthesis of Ag-NPs involves three main phases:
activation, growth, and termination. The shape and morphologies of
the prepared Ag-NPs were studied through different analytical techniques.
The results confirmed the successful preparation of Ag-NPs with a
particle size distribution ranging from 1 to 40 nm. The Ag-NPs were
used as a heterogeneous catalyst to reduce RhB dye from aqueous solutions
in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The results
showed that 96% of catalytic reduction can be accomplished within
32 min using 20 μL of 0.05% Ag-NPs aqueous suspension in 100
μL of 1 mM RhB solution, 2 mL of deionized water, and 1 mL of
10 mM NaBH4solution. The results followed a zero-order
chemical kinetic (R2= 0.98) with reaction
rate constantkas 0.059 mol L–1s–1. Furthermore, the Ag-NPs were used as antibacterial
and antifungal agents against 16 Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
as well as 1 fungus. The green synthesis of Ag-NPs is environmentally
friendly and inexpensive, as well as yields highly stabilized nanoparticles
by phytochemicals. The substantial results of catalytic reductions
and antimicrobial activity reflect the novelty of the prepared Ag-NPs.
These nanoparticles entrench the dye and effectively remove the microorganisms
from polluted water.