Studies on the influence of surfactant on the kinetics of formation of silver nanoparticles by using Croton bonplandianum as green reducing agent

The kinetics of formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through the reduction of silver ions with the extract of Croton bonplandianum leaves has been studied spectrophotometrically in the UV-Visible region. The nanoparticles were further characterized by using SEM, TEM and FT-IR spectroscopic technique. The addition of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) increased the rate of reaction in the lower concentration ranges while at higher concentrations it decreased the values of rate constants, thus giving a maximum like curve. The surfactants like cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTABr) and Triton X-100 (TX100) decreased the values of the rate constant. These surfactants influence the rate of formation of AgNPs through controlling the rate of agglomeration of the silver atoms and ions. The increase in the concentrations of plant extract, AgNO3 and NaOH also increased the rate of formation of the silver nanoparticles.