Green Synthesis and Characterization of Alloy Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts

The green synthesis of gold (Au), palladium (Pd), and Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles using Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren, commonly known as green rooibos, as well as its pure bioactive compound, aspalathin, involves a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to nanoparticle fabrication. Aspalathus linearis, commonly known as green rooibos, serves as the primary source material for this synthesis process. The extract obtained from Aspalathus linearis contains various phytochemicals, including the bioactive compound aspalathin, which plays a crucial role in nanoparticle formation. The synthesis typically begins by preparing a solution of the Aspalathus linearis extract or a solution containing a specific concentration of aspalathin. This solution serves as both the reducing agent and stabilizing agent for the nanoparticle synthesis process. Next, metal precursors, such as chloroauric acid (HAuCl₄) for gold nanoparticles and palladium chloride (PdCl₂) for palladium nanoparticles, are added to the solution. The aspalathin in the solution acts as a reducing agent, facilitating the reduction of metal ions to form metal nanoparticles. Under suitable reaction conditions, such as controlled temperature and pH, the reduction of metal ions occurs, leading to the nucleation and growth of Au, Pd, or Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles. Aspalathin molecules present in the solution interact with the metal ions, leading to the formation of stable nanoparticles with controlled size and morphology. The green synthesis approach offers several advantages, including: 1. Sustainability: The use of natural extracts from Aspalathus linearis reduces the reliance on chemical reagents, minimizing the environmental impact of nanoparticle synthesis. 2. Biocompatibility: Aspalathin, as a bioactive compound derived from a plant source, enhances the biocompatibility of the synthesized nanoparticles, making them suitable for various biomedical applications. 3. Scalability: The green synthesis process can be easily scaled up for large-scale production of nanoparticles without compromising environmental sustainability. 4. Cost-effectiveness: By utilizing plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents, the green synthesis approach offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional nanoparticle synthesis methods. Overall, the green synthesis of Au, Pd, and Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles using Aspalathus linearis and aspalathin showcases a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for nanoparticle fabrication, with promising applications in various fields, including catalysis, biomedicine, and environmental remediation. The data provided encompasses results obtained through a variety of characterization techniques, including: •Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy •Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) Analysis •High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) •Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) •Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscopy with High Angle Annular Dark Field (STEM-HAADF) •Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) These techniques collectively offer comprehensive insights into the properties and structure of the materials under the study. Note: The study did not require ethical clearance以南非山红茶（Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren，俗称绿如意茶（green rooibos））及其纯生物活性成分香紫苏醇（aspalathin）为原料合成金（Au）、钯（Pd）及金-钯双金属纳米颗粒的方法，是一种可持续且环境友好的纳米颗粒制备路径。 南非山红茶（Aspalathus linearis）俗称绿如意茶，是该合成工艺的核心原料。其提取物含有多种植物化学物质，其中生物活性成分香紫苏醇（aspalathin）在纳米颗粒形成过程中发挥关键作用。 合成流程通常始于制备南非山红茶提取物溶液，或配置特定浓度的香紫苏醇溶液。该溶液可同时充当纳米颗粒合成过程中的还原剂与稳定剂。 随后向溶液中加入金属前驱体，例如用于金纳米颗粒的氯金酸（HAuCl₄）以及用于钯纳米颗粒的氯化钯（PdCl₂）。溶液中的香紫苏醇可作为还原剂，促进金属离子还原以形成金属纳米颗粒。 在适宜的反应条件（如可控温度与pH值）下，金属离子发生还原反应，进而促成金、钯或金-钯双金属纳米颗粒的成核与生长。溶液中的香紫苏醇分子可与金属离子相互作用，形成尺寸与形貌可控的稳定纳米颗粒。 该绿色合成方法具备多项优势： 1. 可持续性：采用南非山红茶的天然提取物，可减少对化学试剂的依赖，降低纳米颗粒合成过程对环境的负面影响。 2. 生物相容性：香紫苏醇作为植物来源的生物活性成分，可提升合成纳米颗粒的生物相容性，使其适用于多种生物医学应用场景。 3. 可扩展性：该绿色合成工艺可轻松放大至大规模纳米颗粒生产，且不会牺牲环境可持续性。 4. 成本效益：通过利用植物提取物作为还原剂与稳定剂，该绿色合成方法相较传统纳米颗粒合成手段，具备更优异的成本效益。 综上，以南非山红茶及香紫苏醇为原料合成金、钯及金-钯双金属纳米颗粒的绿色工艺，为纳米颗粒制备提供了一种可持续且生态友好的策略，在催化、生物医学及环境修复等诸多领域展现出良好的应用前景。 本数据集涵盖了通过多种表征手段获得的实验结果，包括： • 紫外-可见（Ultraviolet-Visible, UV-Vis）光谱法 • 动态光散射（Dynamic Light Scattering, DLS）分析 • 高分辨透射电子显微镜（High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, HRTEM） • 选区电子衍射（Selected Area Electron Diffraction, SAED） • 高角度环形暗场扫描透射电子显微镜（Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscopy with High Angle Annular Dark Field, STEM-HAADF） • 衰减全反射-傅里叶变换红外光谱（Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR） 上述表征技术可共同为研究材料的性质与结构提供全面的解析视角。 备注：本研究无需伦理审查。