Innovative silver nanoparticle production via microalgae extract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are highly valuable for their antibacterial, catalytic, and optical features. Yet, traditional production techniques use hazardous chemicals and involve substantial energy consumption that increased environmental concerns. This study determined an environmentally friendly technique that uses microalgae extracts from Spirulina platensis and Chlorella vulgaris as bio-reducing agents. By optimising important parameters such as incubation period, extract-to-silver nitrate ratio, and pH, the greatest yield of 78.57 wt% Ag was achieved with 48 hours of incubation, a 25:75 volumetric ratio, and pH 10. UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Particle Size Analysis (PSA), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) all verified that nanoparticles were formed successfully. Spirulina-derived AgNPs exhibited a Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance peak at 375-381.7 nm, whereas Chlorella vulgaris produced minimal nanoparticles. The synthesised AgNPs had an average particle size of 20-30 nm, a crystalline metallic silver structure, and a uniform distribution. This research indicates microalgae's potential as a sustainable alternative for AgNP green synthesis, to provide an environmentally friendly and scalable approach. Future research will focus on improving efficiency, increasing output, and broadening applications in a variety of areas, including biomedicine and environmental technology.