A facile green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Piper betle biomass and its catalytic activity toward sensitive and selective nitrite detection

•One-pot synthesis of Ag nanoparticles is achieved by using Piper betle biomass.•Ag+/Ag0 active centers involved NO2− oxidation mechanism is detailed.•Ag nanoparticles exhibited a rapid response with a detection limit of 0.046 μM.•The sensor displayed excellent selectivity and good stability in NO2− detection.

A facile, one-pot and environmental benign method exploiting Piper betle biomass as a reducing and stabilizing agent was proposed for the preparation of silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The Ag nanoparticles prepared from dried Piper betle leaves extract exhibited unique spherical configuration and face-centered-cubic structure with preferred (1 1 1) orientation. The fabricated Ag/GCE sensor exhibited an exceptional electrocatalytic activity toward NO2− oxidation with a quick response time, high sensitivity and lower detection limit of 10 s, 1642.27 μAm M−1 cm−2 and 0.046 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the constructed sensor exhibited long-term stability and excellent anti-interference properties, paving new dimensions for the utilization of bio-mediated nanocatalysts in electrochemical sensors.

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