Abstract            Volume:14  Issue-8  Year-2026         Original Research Articles

Online ISSN : 2347 - 3215 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcret@gmail.com

The development of environmentally compatible routes for metallic nanoparticle synthesis has increased interest in plant-mediated nanotechnology. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using an aqueous nut extract of Semecarpus anacardium as a biological reducing and stabilizing system. The synthesis process was optimized by examining the extract-to-silver nitrate mixing ratio, reaction pH, and temperature. Fresh S. anacardium nuts were shade-dried, powdered, and extracted in Milli-Q water. The extract was subsequently reacted with 1 mM silver nitrate. Among the tested conditions, an extract: AgNO₃ ratio of 1:4, pH 8, and room temperature (approximately 28 °C) produced the most favourable nanoparticle formation. The reduction of silver ions was initially indicated by a change in the reaction mixture from colourless to dark brown. UV–Visible spectroscopic analysis further confirmed nanoparticle formation through a characteristic surface Plasmon resonance band at 425 nm. Optical density increased between 4 and 24 h, indicating progressive nanoparticle formation. Electron microscopic observations showed predominantly spherical and dispersed nanoparticles. TEM analysis indicated particle dimensions of approximately 17.1–24.3 nm, whereas particle-size distribution analysis showed a dominant fraction near 60 nm and an average particle size of approximately 40 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed a characteristic silver-related signal near 3 keV. The results demonstrate that S. anacardium nut extract can serve as an effective biological matrix for the synthesis of nanoscale silver under mild reaction conditions.

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