Plant-Mediated green synthesis of copper, gold, and silver nanoparticles: Biomedical applications and future prospects

Abstract

This review examines the applicability of using plant-based compounds to achieve ecologically benign and economical synthesis of copper, gold, and silver nanoparticles. Biological methods are preferred in green chemistry over traditional chemical and physical methods because they utilise the natural reduction and capping capabilities of the plant to yield cleaner synthesised products. Applying techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, TEM, XPS, and SEM, the paper examines how extract content, pH level, temperature, and reaction time affect nanoparticle properties. The resulting nanoparticles are of low toxicity and high biocompatibility and are thus ideal for a range of biomedical applications such as antibacterial activity, targeted drug delivery, cancer treatment, imaging, and diagnosis. Nanostructures of various types, such as bacterial, fungal, or plant extracts, as well as hybrid nanomaterials, can be synthesised by this consistent method. On the whole, green nanoparticle synthesis is a potential and sustainable alternative to traditional synthesis, and this article contains an extensive review of available data and techniques in producing innovative nanomaterials by this approach.