Effect of plant-based phenol derivatives on the formation of Cu and Ag nanoparticles

► The complexes formed on the reaction of various metal ions viz., Cu(II) and Cu(I) with phenol derivatives was established by UV-visible spectroscopy. ► It has been shown that nanoparticles of Cu can be prepared from metal-phenol complexes in the presence of a protein (gelatin) by γ-irradiation. ► Formation of Ag nanoparticles was also observed on photo-irradiation with Xe lamp in the presence of dihydroxy benzene.