One step phytosynthesis of highly stabilized silver nanoparticles using Piper nigrum extract and their antibacterial activity

One step phytosynthesis of highly stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) had been produced by using the extract of Piper nigrum (black pepper) as a reducing and a capping agent in aqueous medium, without the addition of any other chemicals. UV-visible (UV-vis) spectra showed the formation of AgNPs by observing the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 444 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of AgNPs with face centered cubic (fcc) structure. Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectra were used to identify the functional groups present in the biomolecules for reduction and capping of AgNPs. The electrochemical behaviour was carried out by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Oval-like morphology of the sample was confirmed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Elemental composition was found out by the energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The antibacterial activities were carried out and revealed good results. This phytosynthetic approach is facile, inexpensive, reproducible, and eco-friendly.