Silver and gold nanoparticles biosynthesized by aqueous extract of burdock root, Arctium lappa as antimicrobial agent and catalyst for degradation of pollutants

This study presents an efficient and facile method for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using aqueous extract of burdock root (BR), A. lappa, and their applications. The nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, thermogravimetry, and differential thermal analysis. AgNPs capped the BR extract (BR-AgNPs) possessed roughly spherical geometry with an average diameter of 21.3 nm while uneven geometry of AuNPs capped the BR extract (BR-AuNPs) showed multi shapes in average size of 24.7 nm. The BR-AgNPs strongly inhibited five tested microorganism strains. In particular, the nanoparticles showed excellent catalytic activity for the conversion of pollutants within wastewater. Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol, methyl orange, and rhodamine B were respectively found 6.77 × 10−3, 3.70 × 10−3, and 6.07 × 10−3 s−1 for BR-AgNPs and 6.87 × 10−3, 6.07 × 10−3, and 7.07 × 10−3 s−1 for BR-AuNPs. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.